All men die, but not all men really live!
William Wallace 1305
Donald “Bow” Bowman checked out while in the loving arms of his wife, Debra, comforting him during his last journey on Jan. 22, 2025. He was 75 years old. Cancer sucks! His father, Lloyd, his mother, Martha (Deemer), and his brother, Rodger, have preceded him in death. Left to carry on his legacy, besides his wife, Debra (Cooper) Bowman, are his children, Ted, Ellie, Danielle, and J, his grandchildren, Sebastian, Luke, and Audrey, and his great-granddaughter, Finnea. His sister, Marilyn, and his brother, Tim, also remain to tell the wonderful stories of the life of their brother, Bow.
As a youth, he was a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and a swimmer on the Annville-Cleona and Hershey Aquatic Club swim teams, winning numerous medals. Don raised guinea pigs just because he enjoyed their squeaking. He played trombone in the Jr-Hi band until he was asked to leave. Don was a 1967 graduate of Annville-Cleona High School, where he excelled in playing hooky. He was also very active in planning and attending his class reunions. Don was employed since the age of 14 in many areas, however, he retired in 2015 after 32 years as a sales rep for Lorillard/ITG. His expertise was being a professional amateur. Don was a lifelong fan of Penn State Football, We Are! He was also an adventurous motorcyclist, having ridden in all 48 lower states and through six Canadian Providences. A trip to Hawaii was planned, but they never built that damn bridge. As for Alaska, snow chains did not fit his motorcycle. WTF!
Don attended many motorcycle rallies, the last being “The Republic of Texas Rally” in Austin, where he and Debi honeymooned in 2014. He is a life member of the Lebanon Valley Motorcycle Club, the American Motorcycle Association, and the National Rifle Association as a membership recruiter. He and his wife loved motorcycling, ocean cruising, traveling to 10 countries, crashing weddings, and beach parties. Bow will also be remembered for his outstanding firework displays during the 4th of July parties. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, hiking, camping, bar hopping, magic, practical jokes, and dancing on tables.
Sorry, but there will not be a viewing or funeral. His wife, Debi, and his kids will be throwing a celebration of life “White Out Wake” kick-ass party on Feb. 8, 2025, at 5 p.m. at the Mount Gretna Fire Hall for all relatives and friends. Please join us to celebrate the fun-filled life of Bow!
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/, or to the Lebanon Valley Motorcycle Club, 11 S. 22nd St., Lebanon, PA 17042.
Death smiles at us all, all a man can do is smile back!
Marcus Aurelius 180 AD
