Dawn reminded me the other day of the date Marshall passed away.  I worked for him the summer of 1966 at Univ. Of Nebraska when he was doing research on the county in Nebraska that I grew up in.  It was fun to share with him about things that aren't in the books.  He then went to Sheridan County and stayed with my parents.  They had the opportunity to show him many places in the county
 Mom and Dad enjoyed his visit and often talked about his visit.  He was very interesting  and knowledgeable.   I often thought it would have been a lot of fun to be in his class.  One summer (about 1972) he left his vehicle at our place in Omaha in between his trips.  I still miss his letter at Christmas.  RIP Mr  Bowan , as I knew him

Professor and Coach Bowen was very influential and joyful person to be around in those younger years.

A mentor, greatest professor, great basketball coach and best of times for me growing up in Fburg and going to MWC

He was a heck of a Man 

As may have been already stated by “many” former students and friends alike, for me, Marshall was the consummate scholar, mentor, coach and friend who impacted my life. 

At a time in my very early adult years, Marshall was man who helped me navigate those years at Mary Washington College as a student and member of the early competitive years on the basketball team.  I will always remember Marshall’s jovial mannerism, his spirited personality and his devotion to his craft.  I loved playing basketball with him and for him.  Those days for me are greatly missed......and Marshall was part of that time.  

Rest In Peace knowing you gave back 

Barry 

First and foremost, my sincerest condolences to the Bowen family.   Just hearing about his passing was a sad day and for me another loss of a Fredericksburg Icon.  I had the privilege of knowing Marsh before attending MWC 1975-77.  I grew up in Fburg (townie) in College Heights, Marsh and his family lived one block from me. First acquaintances as a teenager was on the indoor and outdoors basketball courts in Fburg and MWC both orig  gym on campus drive and the gym later built.  The looks may have been deceiving but pound for pound Marsh was an incredible basketball player and athlete... pure shooter and fierce competitor. 

Marsh later mentored me  into attending MWC.  I got to participate on his basketball teams in the MWC earliest years. Marsh was equally gifted as a leader and coach.  My only interest was in attending Marsh’s classes.  His charisma, spark, spunk, style and intelligence drew many to his classroom. Seeing him jump on a table for the first time in class to address a topic absolutely floored me.  In short, it was Marsh’s personality, fairness, intelligence and friendship that made us all want to listen and learn. 
There was no finer professor, teacher, mentor, coach, player, friend than Marsh Bowen. MWC or UMW should be proud to have had the likes of Marsh as one of their own.  I hope that MWC will further honor his name. 

Barry Surles 
Fburg - MWC 75-77







Dr.  Bowen was the BEST, BEST! He made learning fun with his classroom antics!  Leaping to pull down maps was my favorite!  I have thought of him so often over the years. I called him some years back. When I told him my name, he went "Oh, yeah!  Wellford's Wharf!"  That was a reference to a paper I had written....many years ago. We reminisced,  especially about a geomorphology field trip he took a group of us on. Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Ny, Canada.  Did I mention Maryland and Pennsylvania?  He made it all come alive!   The world has lost a GREAT man who had a positive influence on a multitude of folks. My memories with him live on. Thank you, Dr. Bowen.

A  favorite MWC memory: singing “City of New Orleans”  with Dr. Bowen in front of our class, a capella. I’ve been incorporating music with map/geography lessons ever since.  Such a great educator! 






Marsh Bowen was the best prof I had at Mary Wash.  Because of his classes I minored in Geography.  We played Basketball together and he helped me improve my game.  He was always my supporter.  For his Geomorphology class we went to Niagra Falls, 1975.  I will never forget that trip.  Here is picture of how interactive he was when teaching on that trip,  He made college all the better.  May he rest in peace and may the family know how many of us he touched and that we will remember him forever.  

Dawn,   I was sorry to see Marshall has recently passed away. He was definitely a giant at MWC  and commanded the respect of all students and faculty like. He leaves a great legacy to Mary Washington and its geography department. 

Dr. Bowen was my favorite professor and my faculty adviser.  I remember him and his classes fondly.  His classes on Anglo-America were the reason I chose Geography as a major.  My prayers are with his family.  RIP, Dr. Bowen. 

I am one of six sisters who attended MWC back in the '60's. I was a Political Science major, so I took alot of geography classes, and I felt so lucky to have had Dr. Bowen for many of them; he was a great teacher.  I played on the Honor's basketball team, and I frequently saw  him on the old  basketball court across from the Day Students' room. He will always be one of my favorite professors at MWC. I am so sorry for the loss of this good man.  Sincerely,  Grace Barrett Dahmke , MWC class of'68.

I'm very sorry to hear about this!  Dr. Bowen had such tremendous energy and enthusiasm and zest for life, it's hard to imagine him gone. I have very fond memories of his geography lectures - he would describe these places all across North America  in such an entertaining way, it made you want to hop in the car and go explore the continent with him. He was a fascinating guy - always fully engaged and "there" with you. I always got a kick out of speaking with him; I can still remember specific conversations (e.g., him reminiscing about playing basketball against Lenny Wilkens). Looking back I wish I had spent more time getting to know him. With his passing, it feels like the world has lost some very good energy. 

I was sad to hear of Dr. Bowen's passing.  He was a phenomenal teacher - enthusiastic, inventive (I can still see him jumping on top of our desks to demonstrate a jet stream!) tough but fair minded.  His geomorphology class was a great learning & travel experience.  Along with Dr. Gouger, & Dr. Emery, he was always available to answer questions & provide guidance to us geography majors.  And, basketball!  - it was obvious his love for it.  I swear he could get most of MWC to turn out for any of the men's home games .  Of course at that time there were not a lot of male MWC students but he roped most them into playing on the team.
He left an indelible impact on a lot of MWC students & will be sorely missed.  

While I only knew him from my seat in a lecture hall, I thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Bowen's classes my freshman year at Mary Washington (1994-95)...entertaining and educational!  If he was even half as great of a person as he was a teacher, I know his family is really going to miss him.  My condolences to you all! 

I am sorry to hear of Marshall’s passing. He was such an important presence on campus for such a long time before his retirement, it is difficult to imagine the world without him. My heart goes out to you, Dawn, especially, but also to family, friends, and all the students for whom he was a profound influence.

I am so sad to learn of Dr. Bowen’s passing. He was one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. I took his class in 1994 or 1995. To this day, I remember so much of what he taught. As I’ve traveled around the country over these last couple of decades, I’ve often spouted off a fact about the area I was in. All from his geography class. One of my regrets is that I didn’t take more of his classes. 
One semester I spent two evenings a week in the hall upstairs in Monroe Hall, babysitting for an anthropology professor. During that time, he and I had some fascinating conversations. He was so nice and interesting. 
My condolences to his family. 

I'm so sorry to hear about Dr. Bowen's passing.  He was an amazing professor and shared his passion for geography and travel so enthusiastically that I still (25 years later) dream of visiting all the places he showed us in class.  My condolences to his friends and family.

OBITUARIO

Marshall Everett Bowen

15 enero, 1938 – 19 agosto, 2020

Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service

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