Birth date: Oct 10, 1938 Death date: Apr 21, 2018
Dr. Harry Leon Bowman, 79, of Clermont, Florida was born in Jacks Creek, Tennessee to Bob and Georgia (née Dunavant) Bowman. Raised in Henderson County, Tennessee, he graduated as Valedictorian from Lexington High School. After re Read Obituary
Debbie – I was stunned to learn of Harry’s death & had no idea until I got your letter today informing me! We had a good phone conversation right after my Sam died last June. Sam & I enjoyed all our visits with him , & those two Henderson County boys who grew up & graduated together treasured their friendship! Prayers for comfort for you & your family! Great memories!
Dr. Harry Bowman supervised my work as a graduate research assistant at the University of Memphis and was also the statistician advisor on my doctoral committee. For me, as for countless others, Dr. Bowman was a role model of the very best in academia. He was a consummate professional, calm, steady, witty, and kind. We worked closely together for two years in the Bureau of Educational Research and Services; he was there when I delivered my first research paper at MSERA. In my 30 year career as a faculty member at UTHSC, I consciously sought to give students and colleagues the same considerate attention that Harry Bowman gave to me. I thank God for Harry’s life, for the ongoing positive effects of his contributions to education, and for his Christian witness. My deepest condolences to Debbie and to all of the family. Heaven grows ever richer.
I am so saddened to hear of the loss of Dr. Harry Bowman. I first met him as a recent graduate at the Mid-South Educational Research Association meeting in Biloxi in 1985. His calm and professional demeanor was reassuring. He was encouraging and helpful to me as I began my career in higher education. I was fortunate to become much better acquainted with him as I worked with MSERA over the years. My respect for Harry grew as I learned more about this amazing man. He was such a kind soul, yet a rock in difficult times. His guidance was appreciated by many when decisions needed to be made. His loss will be felt by many. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to cross paths with him in this life. I pray for him and his family.
We mark with sadness this date of April 21, as one of our best colleagues and unwavering supporters of the Mid-South Educational Research Association passed from this life. For four decades, I had the pleasure of interacting annually with Harry via MSERA. His record of unselfish service to the organization was formally recognized with an eponymous award for outstanding service; this is the most prestigious honor that MSERA bestows. If ever one needed a quick reminder of where the organization met in a given year, or who was president at the time of some policy change, or of the current language of the constitution and bylaws of the organization, Harry was the go-to of choice. Always kind, always civil, always on point; he will be missed. My deepest condolences to his immediate and extended family.
Death reminds us that nothing is promised and life is worth the journey. My deepest condolences to the family of the late Dr. Harry Bowman. There are no words to describe my sadness in learning of his passing. As a young graduate student attending MSERA for the first-time, Dr. Bowman welcomed me to the association and encouraged my professional development. His unwavering commitment to the advancement of MSERA and mentoring of future scholars will be greatly missed.Dr. Bowman made his mark in this life. He will forever be remembered as a respected educator, colleague, and friend. While Harry has departed this life, the wonderful memories of the time we shared in service to MSERA will live on forever.-Franz
My heart goes out to Debbie and all of the family in this time of sorrow. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I am deeply saddened by the death of my friend – my mentor – my colleague: and yet, I am comforted in that, as recently as last week, I had the pleasure of visiting with and sharing time with my friend. Harry will be fondly remembered by all those whose lives he made better. He was a man with the heart of a servant-leader. I shall miss my friend.“O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our brother Harry. We thank you for giving him to us, his family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” (BCP 493)
Harry and I began our life-long friendship and working relationship at the first meeting of MSERA in New Orleans in 1973.
I didn’t know at the time that he was the silent pillar behind Fred Bellott’s outstanding Bureau of Educational Research at Memphis State University.
Over those 45 years–and as recently as eight days ago in NYC–Harry and I worked together closely on research, grants, conferences, professional presentations and organizational architecture, at the local, regional and national levels.
For decades, Harry was the soft-spoken, competent consigliere for MSERA and SRERA–and, of course, for me personally.
His leadership at COE added strength and luster to the agency.
I know of no one who was so widely respected for his honesty, objectivity and fairness. Harry was a true gentleman.
He was the model for other-centeredness: always sensitive to the wants and needs of others–without regard for his own interests or comforts. On top of this, he was very bright, totally competent and extremely hard working.
I had no truer and more loyal friend and colleague than Harry Bowman.
We all miss him already. He is irreplaceable to so many of us.
My condolences. God has promised that the time will come when all sickness, suffering, and death will be gone forever. Isaiah 33:24; 25:8
