Peter M. Bowman's Obituary
Peter Miller Bowman, 72, of Memphis, artist and retired art teacher at Memphis University School died on July 31, 2015. Peter was a graduate of Corinth High School (class of 1961) where he was known for his appearance as “Shakespeare” in the senior follies. He also received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Memphis Art Academy (now the Memphis College of Art) and a masters degree from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. He leaves his wife, Elizabeth (Beth) Davis Bowman and one son Matt Bowman (Amanda) of Richmond, VA. He also is survived by two brothers: Thomas A. Bowman (Sally) of Atlanta and Rush Bowman (Kathy) of Arlington, TX as well as a sister, Patricia Blackwood (Dan) of Prescott, AZ.A memorial service will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home in Memphis on August 8 at 1:00 with visitation on August 7 from 6:00 to 8:00.Peter was a prolific painter with work in the collections of Rhodes College, Financial Federal, Pfizer, Promus and the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals and Physicians, VCU Health Systems. He exhibited at David Lusk Gallery as well as in shows at the Memphis Botanic Gardens, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Brooks Museum of Art, Leu Gallery at Belmont College, the Hunter Gallery of American Art and Memphis College of Art. He was an annual contributor to the Works of the Heart show, which benefitted the Child Advocacy Center. Peter was active in Artists Link, a local arts group, and was a faithful attendee at their weekly Thursday breakfasts.Peter taught at Rhodes College, the Memphis College of Art, and, for most of his career, at Memphis University School. One of his adult students at the Memphis College of Art said on Facebook, “He was so genuine and so very kind, making suggestions to make us think about our possibilities and choices in our approach to our work.” A former student from MUS said in an e-mail, “Peter was the best art teacher that I ever had and it meant a lot to me that I got to become friends with Peter as an adult. He was a great artist and a dear man.” For many years Peter worked the chains at MUS football games and he was an avid follower of MUS sports.Another of Peter’s talents was friendship. He had many friends and took great joy in each one. Friends have said since his death that they have had a wonderful time telling stories about Peter and laughing. Peter also loved to tell stories, many of which involved growing up in Corinth, MS. He is famous for a story about painting the family car with his friends – windows, windshield and all. Another story involved his brother, who was grounded, climbing out of their second story bedroom on a rope ladder to go out with his friends. Peter was well known for always being the innocent party in these stories.Peter was a wonderful husband and father. Many of the pictures on the website reflect his warm family life with wife Beth and son Matt as well as his extended family. Peter loved SEC football and truly enjoyed attending Ole Miss games with Matt for the three years that Matt worked there.Peter was a longtime member of Evergreen Presbyterian Church, where he was part of the Literature and Religion Class for many years as well as an elder and deacon. He also participated in a Bible study conducted by Reverend Davis Bailey of Buntyn Presbyterian Church and Reverend Julie Bailey of First Presbyterian Church, Memphis. Julie said on Facebook, in a comment to Matt “…your dad was oftentimes the highlight of my weekly routine. His creative insight, his sense of wonder and awe…No wonder he was such an accomplished artist.”Another of Peter’s activities was service as an auxiliary probation officer for the Shelby County Juvenile Court. This involved hands-on supervision of youths on probation, serving as a mentor.Thanks to Matt Ducklo for the webpage cover photo.The family requests in lieu of flowers that memorials be sent to: Memphis University School 6191 Park Ave. Memphis, TN 38119 www.musowls.org orMcCain/Bowman Scholarship University of Tennessee Health Science Center Department of Health Informatics and Information Management 920 Madison Ave., Suite 518 Memphis, TN 38163 [email protected]
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