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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Mar '99
Robert Bruce Bowen * '46 No. 15547 * 27 Oct 1923
- 7 Aug 1997
Died in Reno, NV * Ashes spread at the south fork of the Yuba
River, CA
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Bruce was born in Ogden, UT, a quirk of his father's
job with Southern Pacific Railways, which had medical facilities
there. Bruce would much preferred to have been born in Carlin,
Nevada where he spent his first seven years. His family then
moved to Reno. Among Bruce's many activities included attaining
the rank of Eagle Scout. In 1937, he was the first Boy Scout
Governor of Nevada, the beginning of the Boy's State program.
After graduating from Reno High, he attended the University of
Nevada for three years, studying pre law. On 1 July 1946, Bruce
joined the Class of 1946 at West Point.
Cadet life posed no problems for Bruce as he did
well academically and became a cadet company executive officer
first class year. That year he also was manager of the basketball
team. Bruce graduated a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery.
Following graduation, Bruce married Valerie Snell in Grass Valley,
CA. Three children were born to them during their seventeen year
marriage, Robert B., Jr., Catherine Swan and Jane Cook.
Graduation leave was different for Bruce. Wishing
to complete his degree at the University of Nevada, he convinced
officials to accept some credits from West Point and after completing
additional courses, he received his BA from UNV in August of
1946.
His first assignment after basic schooling was
to a Field Artillery Battalion in Puerto Rico. In 1949, he was
selected to attend Harvard Law School. He received his LLD with
honors in 1952 and became a member of the Judge Advocate General
Corps. His first JAG assignment was at Fort Richardson, Alaska.
In 1954, he began having medical problems and was reassigned
to HQ. 6th Army to be near Letterman Hospital. He was medically
retired in 1957.
Bruce returned to Reno, Nevada where he became
a partner in the law firm of Adams, Reed and Bowen, later known
as Bowen, Swafford, Hoffman and Test. During his 31 years of
practice, Bruce handled mostly civil cases, especially land and
estate planning for ranching families. In 1963, Bruce met Carol
Stevenson and a number of years later they married. Bruce was
active in many community affairs, Boy Scouts, Masons, Shriners
and as a Director of the Nevada Opera.
In the early 1990's, Bruce's health started to
deteriorate. He died 7 August 1997 from complications of his
long standing kidney problems. His wife, three children and six
grandchildren survive him
Bruce Bowen left behind a loving family and a multitude
of friends and classmates who remember with love and pride a
truly gifted man. Some of their comments best describe what made
him so special.
West Point and Harvard Law classmate, Art Murphy
recalled: "The aspect of his character that impressed me
most was his natural dignity that was completely free of any
pretension."
Law partner and long time friend Louis Test, wrote:
"He had a big heart and was a genuine good human being.
He cared for everybody. He had one of the best memories and recall
of any person I can think of professionally. Bruce thrived on
challenges. No mountain was too high to climb. As a lawyer, civic
activist, sportsman, father and husband, he saw the sky as the
limit."
Marianne Leinassar, friend and third generation
client, recalled: "In all the years working with Bruce,
his strong standards and go slow, don't make quick decisions
work ethic has always stuck with us and it works. Bruce did hard
jobs so easily and always with a smile and never lost sight of
the bright or humorous side of things. We will miss Bruce and
the positive way he touched our lives."
The Honorable Edward Reed, Sr. US District Judge
and Bruce's partner for 22 years, delivered his eulogy which
is quoted in parts: "If ever there was a person who could
be called all American or all Nevadan, it would be Bruce. The
things he achieved are things we all would aspire to. Practicing
with Bruce, I found that there was never a morning that I didn't
look forward to seeing him. He was a fun and entertaining person
to be around and work with. He was a man of uncommon judgement
and common sense. Whenever I had a difficult problem, it was
always beneficial to take it up with Bruce. He had an outstanding
ability to analyze complex problems and devise common sense solutions."
His loving wife, Carol, who was so devoted and
committed to Bruce during his trying last years, recalled: "Bruce
was a most devoted, generous and loving husband and father. His
loyalty to his family and friends was exceptional. He will always
be in my heart."
The Class of 1946 would like to add to these remembrances
of a true son of West Point, those words that would mean so much
to him: "Well Done, Bruce; Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his wife, Carol
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