It's always sad to report the death of a beloved water colleague. I've already had to to do the likes of Tom Prickett, Phil LaMoreaux, and Stan Davis. Now comes the news that another one of the real good guys has left us.
Hydrology professor Dr. Rob Bowman of New Mexico Tech died last week at his home in Lemitar, NM. Friend and colleague Dan Stephens, also down here in Panama for the Groundwater for the Americas conference, told me and I was just emailed a link to the NMT story that dispensed the bad news.
Rob was a terribly bright guy but more importantly, so very nice. He always had time and a kind word for you, no matter how busy he might be, and he'd always have a smile on his face.
Here is a little bit from the story:
All across campus and around the world, word of Bowman’s passing, a week before his 59th birthday, generated emails and tributes and memories of a man who was widely respected for his knowledge, his insight, his commitment to education and the ideals inherent in that journey to understanding.
This, said his only child, Danny, “stands as the greatest testament to his life,” that he was revered and respected by legions of students and colleagues whose lives were enriched simply by the fact that he was here.
Graduate student Jaron Andrews had worked closely with Dr. Bowman as an undergraduate and, for the past year, as a hydrology master’s student.
“He was always professional and courteous,” Andrews said. “He was a model for all of us as what to be like as a professional person. He had a real love of what he was doing and shared that love through his teaching and research. He was a dedicated scientist, a wonderful teacher, and a great mentor.”
The Michigan native headed west in 1968, settling in at the University of California at Berkeley which he, a National Merit Scholar, had chosen as an alternative to an in-state school.
In a physics laboratory in Berkeley, he met his future wife, Karen Bailey, his eventual life partner – who was always late to class.
So what attracted the flame-haired coed to the tall Midwesterner?
“He was good-looking,” she said. “Tall, with long, blonde hair.”
And so they teamed up, the radio-pharmaceutical chemist and the teacher, off on life’s journey, an adventure that ultimately led them to New Mexico.
This is a man who will really be missed by so very many people.
This year's New Mexico Water Symposium will be dedicated to Rob.
“He was the best guy. It was hard to say goodbye.” -- Jaron Andrews, one of Rob's last graduate students
Very sad to learn of Rob leaving us. So disappointed we were not able to keep up our past friendship. After Peggy died I’ve essentially isolated with immediate family. My sincere condolences.
With love,
Andy
Posted by: Andrew Kaczmarek | Friday, 25 August 2023 at 04:44 PM