Donald M. Bowman

Donald M. Bowman was born October 4th, 1930, at Wilson Ranch outside of Merrill, Oregon, a descendant of Oregon pioneers, dating from 1880. In 1887 his ancestors entered the Klamath County area, with his maternal grandfather, John Morgan Dillard, homesteading near Barnes Valley Creek. Don’s maternal grandmother, Minnie Bussey Dillard Davis, was one of the early teachers in Klamath County, teaching in several schools before 1900. Don’s father, Melvin A. Bowman, joined the Presbyterian church in Merrill in 1911, and along with Don’s mother, Eva Grace Dillard Bowman, were 70 year Merrill residents.

Don was a graduate of Merrill High School, class of 1948, and he received Bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon in 1952, where he was also a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Given the distinction of being the most outstanding ROTC cadet, upon graduation he entered military service in 1952 as a commissioned officer with the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Don was briefly assigned to the Pentagon, where he was offered an assignment at the U.S. Army European headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany for two years, attaining the rank of Captain. While stationed in Germany, he led truck convoys throughout western Europe. In 1954 he returned to the University of Oregon in Eugene on the G.I. bill. Don completed his MBA. In 1956 he entered Pacific Bell telephone’s administration training program in Hayward, California, holding the position of personnel manager for two years. As an educator, he taught math and business courses at the high school and junior college level in Susanville, California from 1956-58. He served as a U.S. Air Force civilian education officer at Kingsley Field, Klamath Falls, and Paine Field, Everett, Washington, from 1962-64; as the Military Education Director in the 5th Airforce Headquarters in Fuchu, Japan, in 1966, administering the largest overseas base-education program in the U.S. Air Force; Kadena Air Force base in Okinawa in 1967; and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs in 1968. By 1969 Don left civil service for the halls of higher education, securing a faculty position as an Assoc. Prof. of Continuing Education and Business Administration at Southern Oregon University in Ashland (6 years); at Oregon State University as a full professor of Continuing Education (13 years), during which time he administered a business training program called Endeavors for Excellence in eleven western states and Europe; and at Portland State University as Director of Off-Campus Extended Studies, until his retirement in 1989 to “travel and golf.” This would include sixteen trips to Europe, beginning in 1953. Don and wife Judi of forty years were especially fond of their European travels to Germany and Austria, where Judi had many relatives.

In addition to being a member of Lake Grove Presbyterian church in Lake Oswego, Don was a longstanding member of the Kiwanis, Masons, Shriners, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a past member of the Elks.

Survivors include wife Judi Bowman of Tigard, son David Bowman of Corona del Mar, California; daughter Marilyn Beauchene (Bowman) of Hillsboro; sister-in-law Mary Bowman of Portland; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Vernon Bowman.

Graveside committal with military honors at Willamette National Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at Lake Grove Presbyterian Church, Lake Oswego, November 3rd at 1:30 p.m.