Wednesday, January 2, 2002

Bowermans enjoy family, retirement

By JANET McGREGOR
snippets@hotmail.com

Richard (Rich) and Lee Bowerman both grew up in Rochester, New York, but they did not meet until they were in high school. The longevity of their relationship is a testament to the importance of the meeting between the city-raised Lee and country-raised Richard.

The couple began dating during the last years of high school. Rich opted to join the Navy shortly after graduating in 1956. He came home in 1957 to marry his high school sweetheart.

Most couples plan a nice honeymoon, and the Bowermans were no exception. The difference between their honeymoon and most is that Rich traveled to Europe alone. His solitary work-related honeymoon has been a long-standing family joke. Lee stayed with her parents and continued to work in the office of a large local bank until Rich returned and the pair moved to Maryland.

Their oldest son, David, made the couple a family in 1959. In 1960 Rich got out of the Navy - one week after daughter Denise was born. The growing family moved back to Rochester where Rich went back to school, ultimately graduating with a degree in history from Brockport State. Working part-time and full-time to support his family, it took Rich 9 years to get his first degree. Danny was born in 1964, completing the family portrait.

In 1968 Rich decided he would like to go into the Foreign Service. The family moved to Clayton County while he waited to take the test. Lee's sister and brother-in-law lived in the Atlanta area, which helped to ease the transition from north to south.

Rich went to work with his brother-in-law until the opportunity to partake in the Teacher's Corps presented itself. The program allowed him to work in the Atlanta City Schools while obtaining a master's degree in education from the University of Georgia. After obtaining his master's, Rich started teaching in Henry County and his yearning to work with the Foreign Service became a distant memory.

After teaching for four years in Henry County, Rich was offered a teaching job in Clayton County, closer to his home. He taught at a number of schools in the county until he retired in 1993. He taught third, fourth and fifth grade and special education classes.

He noted that through the years, and more recently, much has changed. He remembers the students and school on Luckie Street favorably. He said, "There were a lot of good kids in the school, many from Techwood Homes. Back then most families lived there temporarily, until they could get their feet back on the ground."

He remembers almost getting into a little trouble toward the end of his teaching years. On the last day of school all schoolwork had been completed and grades had been issued, making it a "free" day. He asked his students what they would like to do on the last day and they immediately asked to have a water-gun fight. He raised a number of objections, which they quickly answered. They would bring extra sets of clothes and towels.

Finally he relented and later bought some inexpensive squirt guns for the student. The last day came and, as he was walking into the school with two paper bags of water pistols, the principal stopped him. She had heard they were going to have a water-gun battle and she informed him that guns - of any sort - were not allowed in school. He understood, and, needless to say, the water-gun battle was never held.

Rich still enjoys getting cards and calls from former students. He was particularly touched when one of his fourth-grade students chose him as his Star Teacher a number of years after Rich retired. Outstanding students are chosen for the Star Student award in their high school years. The student chooses the teacher he or she feels had the most influence and that teacher receives the Star Teacher award.

Lee worked for Life of Georgia as a medical fee clerk for 27 years, retiring six years ago. She is quiet regarding her life and career, although she lights up when she talks about her children and their accomplishments.

David is married to Lucy and has two children: Bessie, 8, and Allie, 5. David is a chaplain in the Army and is currently stationed in Texas. Denise and husband Kevin Moeggenburg are kept busy with their daughter Kelly. Denise teaches pre-school and works with Lee part-time at Hallmark at the Kedron shopping center. Danny lives in Smyrna and works for Delta Air Lines.

The Bowermans were familiar with the Fayette County area long before moving to Peachtree City. They often packed up their bikes and drove to Peachtree City to enjoy the bike paths. They loved the cart paths, the planned community and the "peacefulness of being here," according to Lee. She said, "I didn't want to move initially. But it was like paradise here when we did. I love it."

Their two Jack Russell Terriers have somewhat curtailed the bike riding, although they still get out on the paths occasionally. Lee walks the dogs daily, still managing to enjoy the cart paths. Both Bowermans enjoy gardening. Per Lee, "We're outside spring, summer and fall and whenever the weather permits in the winter."

Rich is active in the Peachtree City Kiwanis Club, which meets weekly at 7:30 a.m. He volunteers to help with most of their projects such as the Air Show, the annual Pancake Breakfast and the golf tournament.

The couple also enjoys traveling, although both say they would like to travel more. They are already planning a trip to Germany, where son David will be stationed in the near future. They have traveled to Alaska twice, Quebec, the Grand Canyon, California, British Columbia and enjoyed visiting many nearby cities.

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