Robert Bowerman

Robert Jackson ("Jack") Bowerman was born July 27, 1922 in Treece, Kansas to Wilburn Lee and Vivian Mae (Meeker) Bowerman. He grew up in Columbus, Kansas and Cripple Creek, Colorado. During World War II, he served in Italy with the Army Air Corps. After the war, he attended Baker University where he played football and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. While at Baker, he met and married Margaret Ruth Carlyon. The couple moved to Manhattan, Kansas where he entered Kansas State University. He was a member of Sigma Tau, the honorary engineering society, and he graduated with a BS degree in Civil Engineering in 1950. Upon graduation, he went to work for the State Highway Commission of Kansas and the couple settled in Olathe, Kansas. During his career, he worked for Walter L. Yount Construction Company and several other heavy construction companies. He was responsible for estimating and managing the construction of bridges, culverts and other concrete work involved in heavy and highway construction. He was a Registered Professional Engineer and retired in 1987.

As a lifelong Olathe resident, Jack was actively involved in church and community activities. He was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church and he served the church in many capacities. He helped to start the first youth football league in Olathe. He and Margaret raised four boys who were all active in sports and he rarely ever missed one of their games. He was a strong supporter of both Baker University and Kansas State University and loved to attend football games when he could. The Bowerman family was named Baker University's "Family of the Year" in 1998. He enjoyed reading, solving crossword puzzles, his cat, Jake, and feeding wild birds.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Margaret, his sister, Christene Babich, and four sons: Jack Jr. (Marcia); Tim (Rita); Paul (Jane); and Dan (Kathy). He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, including Lisa Callahan (Boyd) and Lori Callahan (David). Services will be held at 1:30 pm on Monday, December 22 at the Grace United Methodist Church in Olathe with a reception to follow at the church.

In Lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to The Childrens' Shoe Fund at Grace United Methodist Church and/or The Bowerman Family Scholarship Fund at Baker University, Baldwin, KS.