Mr. Walter D. Bowman

February 9, 1923 – January 19, 2014

Walt Bowman was born February 9, 1923, in Norwalk, Ohio, to parents Dean and Evelyn (Krieger) Bowman. The family moved to Lodi, Ohio, where Walt began his schooling. Beginning in first grade, which for Walt lasted just a week, school was always important. Early in high school, Walt aimed to become class valedictorian, a goal that led to his achieving the highest record in the history of Lodi High School. He graduated with honors from Manchester College (North Manchester, IN). At Manchester he met Frances Gibson, whom he married upon graduation, and with whom he shared 45 years.

After a summer pastorate in Palmyra, PA, he entered Bethany Seminary in 1944 in Chicago. Two years later, he interrupted his studies to volunteer with Fran for relief work in postwar Italy. In 1948 he returned to Bethany, where he completed his seminary career with a Master of Divinity degree. For the next twenty years he served Brethren pastorates in Lanark, IL; Dayton, OH; Wooster, OH; and Wichita, KS. Children born to Walt and Fran include Wayne, Phil, Theresa (Terry), Christine (Tina) and Steve.

In 1968, the Southern Ohio District of the Church of the Brethren called him to lead its camping and Christian education ministries. He assumed responsibility for developing year-round programming for Camp Woodland Altars, Peebles, OH. Under his leadership, the camp grew to include summer camping, retreats, and outdoor education for public school groups. He represented the denomination in ecumenical ministries, including the Ohio Board of Ministry in Higher Education, which he chaired for three years, overseeing ecumenical ministry to students on all state university campuses.

Beginning in 1975, he divided his time between the Southern Ohio District and a half-time position overseeing Church of the Brethren outdoor ministries. He developed a nationwide association of camp directors and program leaders to strengthen and unify programs in the denomination's 33 Brethren camps. He served as the Brethren liaison to ecumenical groups working to develop programs and curriculum for outdoor ministries. He worked closely with the Brethren Council of District Executives, serving terms as chair and chairing their professional growth committee. In 1983, at the age of 60, he spent a sabbatical month backpacking in the mountains of Utah with the National Outdoor Leadership School.

As retirement approached, in 1988, he took a sabbatical to study intensive Spanish with Fran in Costa Rica, preparing to volunteer two years with the Brethren in El Salvador. This goal was never realized because of illness resulting in Fran's death in 1989.

In 1990, Walt began to renew a friendship with Barbara Fessenden whom he had met 24 years earlier at a professional growth workshop. Walt left behind his ten-acre organic farm in Eaton, OH, to move closer to Barby, whom he married in 1991. With his second marriage, his family grew to include Barby's three sons Christopher, David, and Brian. Suddenly immersed in raising school age sons in Southern California, Walt wrote that he "felt like Abraham must have felt when called to leave his home in Ur of Chaldea and stake out for himself a new life in the land of Canaan."

Walt died January 19, 2014, following a brief illness. He is survived by his wife Barbara (Marino Fessenden) Bowman; children Wayne (Annie) of Brandon, MB; Phil (Cathy Koolis) of Sarasota, FL; Theresa (Jeff) Plotnick of Calgary, AB; Christine (Robert) Guth of Goshen, IN; Steven (Diane) of Cincinnati, OH; Christopher Fessenden of Toluca Lake, CA; David (Vanessa) Fessenden of Las Vegas, NV; Brian (Christine) Fessenden of Canoga Park, CA; and ten grandchildren. He was preceded in death by first wife Fran (Gibson) and parents Dean H. and Evelyn (Kreiger) Bowman.

A memorial service was held 1:00 pm January 22, 2014, at Episcopal Church of St. Andrew and St. Charles, 16651 Rinaldi Street, Granada Hills, CA 91344. Suggested memorial gifts to Heifer International (www.heifer.org) or Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org).