Eugene W. Bowman Obituary

Eugene W. Bowman passed away August 10, 2007 in Ashland, Ore. He had been residing in Sunnyvale, Calif., where his son lives. Eugene was born March 28, 1910 in North Powder, Ore.

Eugene’s parents were Albert F. Bowman and Helen Groves (Bowman). Eugene’s grandfather, Napolean Bowman, came from Missouri across the Oregon Trail and homesteaded around North Powder.

Eugene earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Idaho and a doctor’s degree from University of Oregon.

He enlisted in the Navy as an officer in February 15, 1943 and was honorably discharged January 18, 1946 with the rank of lieutenant commander. He remained in the Naval Reserves until 1970.

In 1938, Eugene married Ida Jones in Spokane, Wash. She preceded him in death in 1995. They had two children, Virginia Ann (deceased) and Eugene William (Bill) Bowman, Jr.

Eugene’s professional career included working for the Veteran’s Administration, school teacher, school principal, and superintendent. Eugene moved to Ashland, Oregon in 1948 and was a professor of mathematics until retirement in 1975 at Southern Oregon University.

He was an avid traveler, taking his family to live in Europe and South America. In Quito, Ecuador he worked for two years in the US AID Education program. After his retirement he and Ida took a 100 day trip around the world. Eugene enjoyed hunting and fishing and spent many enjoyable times with his grandchildren and great grandchildren in Sunnyvale where he lived across the street from his son Bill.

Eugene was a Rotarian, Mason, and active in many clubs. In Ashland he and Ida were members of the Trinity Episcopal Church and in Sunnyvale Eugene was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

Eugene has two sisters and three brothers, Evelyn Dickinson (deceased), LaRose Phillips, Forest (deceased, Quentin and Howard.

Eugene was buried next to his wife, Ida, at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Eagle Point, Ore. A memorial service was held in Ashland at the Trinity Episcopal Church. Anyone wishing to make a donation in Eugene’s memory can contribute to a fund set up by Eugene upon his retirement in 1975. The Southern Oregon University Mathematics Department uses this fund to give one or more outstanding juniors help for their senior year. To donate, people should send a check made out to “SOU Foundation” and then mark in the memo part of the check “Bowman Scholarship.” It’s also best if they include a short note stating their intent, with a return address so the Foundation can acknowledge the donation with a receipt and/or a letter. The address is: SOU Foundation, Southern Oregon University, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520.