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15547 Bowen, Robert Bruce
October 27, 1923 - August 07, 1997

usma1946-G1

 

 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

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

Personal Eulogy

deceased

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