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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jul '98
Jerry Dixmer Bowman * '46 ~ No. 15491 * 13 Jan 1925
- 7 Aug 1997
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Born in Chicago, Jerry grew up on the shores of
Lake Michigan. His father always thought that the military was
the noblest of professions so it was no wonder that Jerry attended
high school at Onarga Military Academy in the Chicago area. Graduating
in 1942, Jerry left behind a long series of accomplishments:
Cadet Captain, Battalion Commander, Class Treasurer, Best Cadet
Officer and winner of the Meents Award for the student most representative
of the Academy. It was then on to Northwestern University for
a year before gaining his coveted appointment to West Point where
he joined the Class of 1946 on 1 July 1943.
Cadet life was fairly uneventful for Jerry. He
had no trouble with academics; and with his military school background,
easily fit into the system. He was commissioned a second lieutenant
in the Ordnance Corps at graduation.
Following basic Ordnance schooling at Aberdeen
Proving Ground, MD, Jerry was first assigned to Picatinny Arsenal,
NJ in March 1947. It was during this tour that he married Erma
Gardner of Moorehead, Iowa. They were married in Los Angeles,
CA on 6 May 1948 as participants on the Bride & Groom Radio
Show. In September 1948, Jerry was selected to attend MIT where
he gained his Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1950,
the Bowmans moved to Esslingen, Germany where Jerry served with
the 784th Ordnance Group. Back to the States in 1953, Jerry became
a Liaison Officer with the HERMES Project at Schenectady, NY.
In 1954, he was transferred to Redstone Arsenal, AL to become
a missile project director. In 1956, Jerry decided to leave the
Army to try a civilian career.
This career kept him at Redstone, starting as a
Guided Missile Engineer. He kept advancing until he retired in
1975 as the Comptroller, Antimissile Defense Program. Jerry had
not forgotten his Army ties, having remained in the Army Reserves,
retiring in 1968 as a Major.
Retirement found Jerry and Erma enjoying golf,
cards, traveling and friends. Erma died on 16 August 1994. Following
her death, Jerry found his greatest pleasure in visiting his
children and their families. A gourmet cook, Jerry was a connoisseur
of fine food. He died 7 August from acute heart failure. He is
survived by his three sons, John, Jim and Craig (USMA 1982),
and five grandchildren.
The true measure of a man is best determined by
the thoughts and remembrances of his friends as they reflect
upon his life. This is born out below.
Classmate George Porter recalled: "At Jerry's
funeral, I introduced myself to a young man in his 30s who was
sitting in the same pew. He asked me my connection to Jerry and
I explained that we were West Point classmates. He then explained
his connection was 'food.' He is a co-owner and head chef of
one of the finest restaurants in this town of 180,000. He said
that Jerry was a very fine cook and that he and Jerry often consulted
on foods and how to prepare them.
"Although Jerry was quite reserved, he was
a very bright capable and friendly person. He was a good man
and my only regret is that we weren't able to see more of each
other."
Friend, Bee Bentley, remembered: "As a family
friend since the 60s when the Bowmans joined our card club, I
can truly say Jerry was a staunch family man, i.e. his son, Jim,
gave this tribute at his mother's funeral in 1994: 'I thank the
Lord for the parents he gave to raise me and the heavenly wisdom
He gave them. I am thankful for Mom and Dad because it is hard
to separate them in my thoughts.'
"This training and example melded the three
successful sons and their families into a supportive oneness.
Even though they were geographically distant, they all kept in
touch by phone daily. Jerry had an upbeat outlook that lifted
all those with whom he associated and a talent for brightening
any day with his warmth, dry wit and thoughtfulness. Having his
son, Craig graduate from West Point reinforced Jerry's pride
in being a West Pointer. He was 'An officer and a gentleman'
to the end."
Sister in law Evlynn Mathews and her husband Vernon,
recalled: "Jerry Bowman was a kind and caring family man.
He was a responsible and loving husband and father to Erma and
their sons. We traveled often with them. Jerry was always cheerful
and enjoyable to be with. He was proud of being a graduate of
West Point. During the last few years of Erma's life, he did
everything he could for her at home even though his health and
eyesight were failing. It is hard to put into words our deep
feelings for Jerry."
Friends, Victor and Connie Sorenson, remembered:
"The four of us played many a game of golf together, locally
and all over the south. Jerry was a gentleman at all times. He
had a dry wit and knew how to make us laugh. His family was his
main concern and it was a happy household. We were very close
friends and we shall always miss Jerry and Erma. God bless them."
Sons, John, Jim and Craig recalled: "Dad was
a master host. He loved all types of food, both to eat and to
cook. He enjoyed life and was an exceptional story teller. He
found humor in everything. His engineer's attention to detail
and efficiency were aided by his exceptional memory and organizational
skills. He was a loving and kind father and we miss him very
much."
These words from those who knew and loved Jerry
bear out the remembrances of his classmates who gladly add these
words that mean so much to a West Pointer: "Well Done, Jerry;
Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his sons, John, Jim &
Craig
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