The Greatest Man I Ever Knew
I knew him for 31 years. He was my Dad and I loved him dearly. Sadly, he died at age 66, way too young. But he packed a lot into those 66 years and made a huge impact on everyone who got to know him. He’s the greatest man I ever knew and I miss him every day of my life.
Front page of the Eccentric May 3, 1984.
Charles LaVerne Bowers was born March 26, 1918 at home on 485 Orchard Lake Ave. in Pontiac to Frank Bowers and Annie M. Rose. As a young man, he attended Pontiac schools and graduated from Pontiac High School (later Pontiac Central High School) in 1936 (January class). He won varsity letters in four sports: football, basketball, track and baseball. He tried out for the football team at the University of Michigan and his name is on the roster. World War II put a crimp in his education plans when he was drafted in 1941. After the war, he returned to UM and graduated in 1947 (the year my brother Jim was born). He then attended medical school and graduated from Wayne State University in 1951 (the year my brother Tom was born).
Photo circa his college years at University of Michigan.
My family's relationship with University of Michigan football dates back to 1937 when my Dad (Charles LaVerne Bowers) made the junior varsity team playing the "end" position wearing #4 (see team roster sheet). He had played end and defense as Captain of the Pontiac High School football team where he also lettered in three other sports...basketball, track and baseball. He was on the UM roster again in 1938 but hurt his knee in practice in the summer of 1939 and was not on the team that year due to his injury. His studies at UM were put on hold when he was drafted into the Army. You'll notice a famous name on the 1937 roster sheet...Tom Harmon...who was on the freshman team that year. Harmon would go on to be All-American in '39 and '40 and would win the Heisman Trophy in 1940. I remember my Dad taking us to UM football games in the '60's and telling us stories about when he played football at Michigan when he was in college.
Serving his country, stationed in France with the 35th Evacuation Hospital.
Meeting up with his brother Jerry in France…how cool is that?
The guys did find time to play some baseball while stationed in France.
Photo op with the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Captain Bowers in a jeep at the base of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
My Dad’s Army hat. He was a Captain…then was promoted to Major at the end of the war, WWII, the big one.
Some awards my Dad won in high school (football, track and basketball) and war medals…The Bronze Star…“The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone”.
My Dad reading to us at Christmas, somewhere around 1956 in Barrington house.
President of the Bloomfield Hills Board of Education.
Rare photo of us with my Dad and Mom…mid 70’s. I say rare because usually my Dad would be taking the photos so he’s not in a lot of them.
On the back of his gravestone in Wixom Cemetery. He was a Captain most of his service and was promoted to Major when the war ended.
My Dad’s name on West Hills Jr. High sign in West Hills lobby.
Dr. Bowers in his office doing what he did best…being a great doctor! I remember stopping by his office one day and patients were packed in the waiting room and people were in the hallway waiting for a chair to open up in the waiting room. I hear he didn’t turn anybody away if they needed medical attention and if they couldn’t pay for services, he was forgiving.
His ID tag at the hospital. I remember when I was a little kid, I would go with my Dad on house calls to patients that were home bound. Yes, house calls! I liked going with him because the family of the patient would always give me cookies while we waited for my Dad. I also went with him to the hospital after dinner where he would do “rounds” and I would sit with the telephone operator and plug in the cords to connect callers with hospital staff.
Enjoying something I said in my Commencement speech. He was School Board President which was why he is on the stage at Commencement.
In the pits with our 1/4 midget race car, The Bowers Special Too!
With my parents at our wedding August 11, 1978.
Greatest parents in the WORLD!!
At my CMU Commencement, May 1975 in Mt. Pleasant.
Rare photo of my Dad just hanging out…love it!
Hanging out in Franklin back yard, my Grandpa, Orpha, Mom and Dad.
Bio printed in the 1980 Rotary Club directory.
My parents were chaperones for our Class of ‘71 Spring Break trip to Nassau Bahamas. My Dad is on knee, far right, my Mom to his left. I didn’t mind them being on the trip. I actually needed my Dad to treat me when I got a bad sunburn.
Drawing of my Dad…not sure the story behind it.
Behind every great man is a great woman. Photo I took of my Mom in our Franklin house. Don’t think she knew I was taking the photo. She’s probably watching the Detroit Tiger game on TV. I truly respect her for raising three boys while coping with my Dad’s busy schedule. Dinner was at 6 p.m. and we all knew it. My Mom was smart…she was the valedictorian of her senior class at Pontiac High School. Unfortunately, she never went to college due to her family’s financial situation. She survived the 1918 pandemic, polio, the Stock Market crash and the Great Depression, World War II…died two months before 9/11/2001 attacks on America.
Great photo of my parents dancing at our wedding reception. This was August, 1978. My Dad died six years later, in 1984. I feel so blessed and lucky to have had great parents who lead by example. Miss them every day.
I wrote this as a eulogy for my Dad to be read at his funeral. I knew I would have a hard time getting through it so I asked Dave McGraw to read it for us and he did.
Photo taken in my Dad’s hospital room in St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac. He fought the good fight. Shortly after this birthday photo, he died of stomach cancer in this room. Greatest man I ever knew.