I am proud to call Mr. Bowman a fellow human on this wild space ride, Planet Earth, 21st C style. Mr. Bowman made me want to be a better person. His curiosity was inflammatory! His raucous laughter would ignite the class! I never knew Mr. Bowman as 'Bucky'. I assume that came later. I must have known Mr. Bowman (he will always be Mr. Bowman to me) from his early years as a teacher. I believe I first met him in 1965 in French class, at Glendale. We would be together the next 3 years. I was a chubby little ultra-nerd kid, shy & withdrawn, but already obsessed with books. From the start Mr. Bowman & I talked books, exchanged books. My wife & I now have over 80 years of teaching experience so I would hazard a guess that what was so crucial for me was his friendship. Teachers intuitively know they must bond with their students. They can't teach that in grad school. And I'm afraid too many teachers are too hassled for this today. Mr. Bowman did not give advice or act parental or adultish (is that a word?). No, he let us be ourselves and was there to listen and support. We thought we were going to explode--he offered Rimbaud poems. In 1966 we studied the Theater of the Absurd. We had to write papers on Waiting for Godot. I betcha there's not a lot of high schools requiring papers on Godot to this day! I remember the books I loaned him, and the ones he loaned me, especially his favorite, After Many a Summer Dies the Swan. He was my friend. He is my friend. Today, an old man, I know how important those simple words are. He told us we were human, he allowed us to be human. When I left Springfield in 1969 we exchanged letters. He always addressed me as Mon Petit Midnight Cowboy. I last saw him in, I believe, 1976. In recent years my younger brother had visited with Mr. Bowman. I meant to call. I got sick. I didn't call. Here we are. I look out my window at the US/Mexico border where we have lived since 1980 (no invasion! and there never was!). I know Mr. Bowman is with me. Friendship is eternal.

Gerald, Susan, Linda and families My sympathy and prayers are with you. It is difficult losing your sibling; someone who has been so close and knows us best. Buck will still be with you in your memories and thoughts – enjoy those special thoughts. I remember all the great times we had when our family would come to visit. I love the way Buck would challenge me, his laugh, his sense of family and the knowledge of the Atwood family. I am so glad my son and daughter and family made the trip with us from Ohio to visit in June. I will hold close to my heart those memories. Your cousin, Sandi (and Rick) Atwood Opp

AU REVOIR, BUCKY. Today, the term influencer is regularly used to describe celebrated in-the-know personalities on social media outlets like YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook. Long before the internet age, however, the Ozarks had its own arbiter of culture, William Brandon Bowman. Bucky and I became friends while I was a college student. Bucky loved teaching, and, like most accomplished educators, he possessed a demeanor that was at times gentle and at times demanding. Bucky alternatingly used these characteristics to coax out the best in others. Bucky also loved travel, fashion and, of course, the arts. Importantly, Bucky lived life in brilliant rainbow colors. I, like so many others, was fortunate to have known William Brandon Bowman. He had an influence on the person I have become, and, for that, I am grateful. Rest well, Bucky. Au revoir.

I was blessed to have Mr. Bowman as my French teacher at Glendale High School in 1976 and 1977. Along with teaching me a beautiful language, Mr. Bowman taught me about life. I remember our class having a progressive dinner where we finished with dessert at Mr. Bowman's house. Imagine....a teacher actually opened his home to students. It was an amazing night. He brought culture to my world that I had only dreamed of. Even though I could never afford to go on one of the trips to France, he brought me back a souvenir one year.....a Bible written in French. I count it as a prized possession today.

I was in Mr. Bowman's French class at Glendale in 1968-69. He inspired me to travel and expand my cultural experience. He used to play Marlene Dietrich records in class. I think of Mr. Bowman every time I travel abroad, and I wish I had told him how much better my life is because of him.

Bucky was a dear friend of my mom, Jo Alice Gillihan and my Dad, Allan, since their college days. I grew up with an old black and white photo of mom sitting with Bucky at a table and pretending to drop a pair of special theater tickets he had into the candle fire! He and my mom played my parents at Springfield Little Theater’s “Cheaper by the Dozen” in 1979(?) - I posted a pic somewhere here. :) Thank you for the French, and the love and the culture, Bucky. You’ve had a wonderful influence on so many at just the right time. —Dana Inimitable

Mr Bowman opened my eyes to the world. I was with him on a six week tour starting in Rome and ending in London I have so many great memories of Bucky and our group. He was so much fun with a wealth of knowledge .Summer of 1973 RIP you were one of a kind. Love you

William Bowman and I attended Senior HS here in Spfd, Mo. together in the middle 50's . He was a good friend. We had lost touch with each other thru the years, There were 5 of us that had a fish dinner at the school cafeteria, on Friday, we then went on for ROTC drill together of an afternoon at the football field, We would check each other out to make sure we were properly dressed and our brass and shoes were shiny , did not want any demerits, lol, Good times together. Great memories

Mr. Bowman was my French teacher at Glendale High School, and my English teacher. He always made class fun, and was kind to everyone. He encouraged me to succeed and for that I will always remember him very fondly.

Sorry to hear about Bucky's passing. I was a friend of Bucky in grade school at the old Kickapoo School on M highway (now Republic Rd.) but due to our family moving out of town I lost contact with him. Phillip Stoke

Mr. Bowman (he will always be a Mr. to me) was one of the best teachers and had one of the most enjoyable classrooms during the time I spent at Glendale High School in the early to mid 70s. His love of knowlege and his joy in his students' lives and accomplishments even after leaving school was remarkable and many in the class of '75 cherished him. He would recognize many of us even 40 years after being participants in his class room. He even attended one of our reunion events a few years back, a happy opportunity for many of us to enjoy his sophisticated and witty presence. Members of my sophomore English class will always remember him allowing the presentation of the now iconic Mark Spitz poster to one of our female classmates (who like all self respecting young females) was enamored with him, and then later of the iconic Farrah Fawcett poster to one of the male classmates just to keep things even! I remember his rant about how too many of the gals parted their hair in the center when only one of us truly looked best with a center part. Creative writing assignments, corrections of spelling errors and grammar, introducing us to wonderful plays such as The Man Who Came to Dinner, all are remembered fondly. He hosted many of us at a party in his home prior to our 10th reunion. Mr. Bowman made learning a joy and will be remembered with great affection. The world is a sadder place without him, but the impact of his life made the world a better place. To all who loved him, to all who knew him better than his mere students, heartfelt condolences. May you cherish your memories of this wonderful man. Lacey (Bradley)

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.