Memories of Leonard Joseph Bowman

In memory of

Leonard Joseph Bowman

Lewes, DE, USA

February 4, 1941 - December 27, 2020

Feb 4, 1941 - Dec 27, 2020

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Emily Bowman

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Pinned

one of many sunsets enjoyed with Len at Millsboro home

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Emily Bowman

Kelly Shanafelt

Comments:

Sarah Burrell

We bought a canoe to carry on the tradition of canoeing with Dad on that pond We bought a canoe to carry on the tradition of canoeing with Dad on that pond We bought a canoe to carry on the tradition of canoeing... Read more

Emily Bowman

there is a canoe photo, too-- one dad took of yous there is a canoe photo, too-- one dad took of yous there is a canoe photo, too-- one dad took of yous

Emily Bowman

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garden at millsboro

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Kelly Shanafelt

Comments:

Sarah Burrell

Thank you for thinking to make a memorial garden for him. We will make one here at home as well Thank you for thinking to make a memorial garden for him. We will make one here at home as well Thank you for thinking to make a memorial garden for... Read more

Emily Bowman

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Garden at Millsboro

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Sarah Burrell

Kelly Shanafelt

In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to UUSD or Southern Poverty Law Center.

Learn more & give

Emily Bowman

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Pinned

garden guest. Len spent a LOT of time in the garden. He seemed to especially enjoy encounters with wildlife, often sharing his observations of the bird activity--- though he was confounded when a family of squirrels navigated inside his elaborate netting systems on the blueberry bushes or moles burrowed through the retaining walls....

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Emily Bowman

Kelly Shanafelt

Emily Bowman

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Len was told that yams would not grown in the local soil. This is proof they can, a Christmas yam from the garden.

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Kelly Shanafelt

Emily Bowman

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Len, Jena and Dayna

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Kelly Shanafelt

Emily Bowman

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Millsboro, DE, USA

Emily, Claire, Dayna, Sarah and Len

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Kelly Shanafelt

Sue O’Brien

Emily Bowman

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1976, Davenport, IA, USA

Len with the twins, emily early photobomb

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Emily Bowman

Kelly Shanafelt

Sue O’Brien

Emily Bowman

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Len and Jena

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Emily Bowman

Kelly Shanafelt

Sue O’Brien

Emily Bowman

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2011

Dad's 70th birthday celebration: Emily, Sarah, Len and Claire. Can you tell we all are related? (We celebrated all year, this photo was taken in July.)

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Emily Bowman

Kelly Shanafelt

Rachel Rose Farber

Happy birthday Dr Bowman! The most amazing, thoughtful, and wise professor I’ve ever had. I will carry his spirit and teachings through my next academic endeavor :-)

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Emily Bowman

Michigan?

This photo surfaced. Late 1960's?? Thank you, cousin Stephen for sharing a photo of your godparents. (Dad before I knew him with sister Celeste. )

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Donna Burke

It’s been a bad week...a very bad week for the JHU-MLA program. Although we lost Dr. Bowman in late December, I am just learning of this sad loss.
Dr. Bowman was my teacher for my second MLA class: Existentialism in Literature. I fell in love with the MLA program immediately because of this class.
It was Dr. Bowman’s idea that each student “become” their assigned philosopher for the entire semester. We were to debate, comment and respond only as our particular philosopher would do...from his or her perspective within the tenets of their philosophical construct. It was brilliant. I lived and breathed Albert Camus over the next 15 weeks. He remains my favorite existential writer/philosopher.
Dr. Bowman was brilliant, but so understated and unassuming. He was so funny, and had this way of saying, “Is that what you think...?” It was the equivalent of asking your chess opponent, “Is that your final move?” You knew that it was time to rethink your response when Dr. Bowman leaned forward and quietly asked you, “Is that what you think?” The MLA program gave me so many gifts. The gift of being taught by this man is definitely at the top of the list. May he rest in the sweetest peace.

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Emily Bowman

Comments:

Rachel Rose Farber

<3 yes, Len was a magnificent human. He was the rock of the MLA program. <3 yes, Len was a magnificent human. He was the rock of the MLA program. <3 yes, Len was a magnificent human. He was the rock... Read more

Emily Bowman

Thank you for sharing, Donna. I love the idea debating as different philosophers. I'm smiling :) Thank you for sharing, Donna. I love the idea debating as different philosophers. I'm smiling :) Thank you for sharing, Donna. I love the idea debating... Read more

Rachel Rose Farber

Johns Hopkins

I loved Dr Bowman so very much. He was so admired and respected by all his students! He was one of the most amazing professors and humans I have ever met. In 2017, I sang a concert for my graduate recital and he drove all the way from Delaware to meet me at my home and then at the venue. He was a most brilliant teacher, mentor, and true spiritual guide to me. I owe so very much to him.

His quiet strength and kindness could move mountains. He brought out the most amazing abilities in his students.
He was special. It’s hard to describe his magic in words- his influence was intense and untouchable, yet so easy-going, grounded, and approachable.

I feel so sad for this loss and for his family. He was an incredible human and will be greatly missed. I frequently ask myself ‘what would Dr Bowman do?’ I’ve quoted him so many times.

He completely changed my life and ways of knowing and thinking. Thank you for everything Dr. Bowman. May you Rest In Peace and fly Free. <3

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Emily Bowman

Comments:

Emily Bowman

"his influence was intense and untouchable" "his influence was intense and untouchable" "his influence was intense and untouchable"

Sarah Burrell

Dad helped to shape my perspective regarding the most wondrous aspects of life. He gave me pause, and allowed me to find the skills to navigate my own discoveries. He taught me how to listen to my inner voice and listen to the lessons of the world- the one that exists beyond thought and reason. He taught me how to access my mind and spirit. Because of this, Dad has inspired but not influenced all of the decisions in my life that led me, eventually, to the joy I know and experience in each passing day. Without Dad‘s guidance I would be living much more in my anxieties and I would not have had the same tools to overcome pain. I still use his guidance to navigate this period of unique discovery in grief and mourning. I am grateful to you, Dad, for the expansiveness I feel in this beautiful life.

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Rachel Rose Farber

Richard Norton

A memorial mass is being offered on Feb 5 at Nativity Catholic Church in Cincinnati, OH.

May Len's soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Richard B Norton, Sr
Maggie Norton
John Henry Alfonso III

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Emily Bowman

Comments:

Emily Bowman

How lovely, Uncle Dick. Thank you for sharing. I hope you and yours are well. Love, Emily How lovely, Uncle Dick. Thank you for sharing. I hope you and yours are well. Love, Emily How lovely, Uncle Dick. Thank you for sharing. I hope... Read more

Emily Bowman

2021, Lewes, DE, USA

Beacon at the Beach newsletter: Long time UUSD member and friend, Len Bowman, passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2020 from complications of surgery. He will be sorely missed. https://files.constantcontact…

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Jeff Hindman

Claire, Sarah and Emily - Thank you for sharing that beautiful message. I met your dad briefly, liked him immediately. And I wish I had known him much much better.
Through his teaching, writing and his love for you, he left the world a better place than he found it. Hope lives, and Len’s hope lives in you.

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Emily Bowman

Sarah Burrell

1988, Davenport, IA, USA

Do you remember the very first ice cream cake? The one that was chocolate cake rolled with vanilla ice cream? It was during our yearly early February birthday clump, which means that it was the birthday cake for the twins’ 12th and for Dad’s 47th (right?) in 1988.

The cake was from the ice cream place where we only got to go on special occasions after successful orchestra concerts or track meets. We had some friends over, and the round table in the kitchen has been extended to its fullest oval size. We had just finished a fine home cooked meal and everybody was feeling a little anxious as the cake was presented with candles burning. The singing was a little bit tense as we looked forward to eating it before it melted. Dad then proudly sliced the cake (like it was the thanksgiving turkey or something) into perfect swirly circles and placed them on each birthday plate in front of each of us. Success! No melting!

But then, we noticed. All of us noticed, and all of us quietly looked at one another before any of us could accept what had happened. We chewed slowly and looked at each other’s faces. No, it wasn’t my imagination...

Dad had cut the cake with the onion knife.

Daaaaad!!!!

“Oh, Dear.”

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Emily Bowman

Maria Mintz

So sorry that you have lost both parents who did so much for social justice in this world. May happy memories and photos be of some comfort to all of you.

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Sarah Burrell

Emily Bowman

Maria Mintz

A vivid memory was the Bowman family and ours together on Christmas Eve in CT with the children performing on their instruments and all of us caroling. As a lover of music, Grandpa Eliadoro enjoyed this evening very, very much. Len and G’pa also took turns at the piano.

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Sarah Burrell

Comments:

Sarah Burrell

Oh I remember! That was during the terrible hair days of the 80s and iridescent shirts. Jason played his ... Read more Oh I remember! That was during the terrible hair days of the 80s and iridescent shirts. Jason played his saxophone too, right?... Read more Oh I remember! That was during the terrible hair days... Read more

Maria Mintz

Yes, Jason played sax and Gina played piano. It’s possible that our dog sang along. Either you or Claire... Read more Yes, Jason played sax and Gina played piano. It’s possible that our dog sang along. Either you or Claire had a curly perm. ... Read more Yes, Jason played sax and Gina played piano. It’s ... Read more

Sue O’Brien

Shared a heart

Emily Bowman

Lewes, DE, USA

fantasy on a labyrinth?

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Kelly Shanafelt

What a beautiful human and what a legacy he left in the form of a fantastic family. I love seeing all the pictures and learning about his vast experience. I wish you all comfort, love and rest in knowing that his was a life very well lived!

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