Kevin John Bowman Kevin lost his well fought battle with pancreatic cancer on Friday April 26 this year. Born in Johnstown, New York, to Hilda Catherine and George Bowman. Kevin was a kind and generous charismatic soul who made friends easily during his many years of global travels sharing life time stories and adventures. A member of the Peace Corps, he was stationed in Nepal teaching school children whereupon he fell in love with the country and its culture, visiting and living there for extended trips, during one of his last visits, Kevin was invited to his old school where he was an Honorable Guest.
Teaching was Kevin's 'calling' graduating from University of Arizona in Tucson, he went onto teaching mathematics in middle schools along the southwest border of Arizona, finally settling at Gadsden (Yuma, Somerton and Gadsden) where his antics in the classroom were legendary, he created life long friends with his students and was so very proud of all their life time achievements. Kevin taught multiple family generations with many classroom stories passed down, but none greater than "Mr Bowman you were the best teacher in my life - thank you" In return for his caring, when his beloved turquoise Honda aka Priscilla Queen of the Desert was stolen, his kids set up a GoFundMe page to buy him a new car, he graciously declined however, Priscilla was eventually found in Mexico. With over five hundred thousand miles, she like Kevin were legendary in Yuma.
Early in life Kevin excelled at sports developing a great love of Judo, in his early twenties, he was selected to train at the Olympic Camp in Colorado Springs for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. He continued his love of sport by following his beloved Syracuse College Basketball Team, San Francisco Giants and later the English soccer team, Chelsea Football Club. His other passion was cribbage, and enjoyed teaching the game to many over a pint of Guinness but always keeping one or two tricks back from his opponent.
Kevin was known for wearing his brightly colored tie dye teeshirts and eccentric lifestyle over decades was filled with unique experiences from his days in Rainbow Gathering to 23 years attending the Nevada Desert Gathering known as Burning Man. Kevin volunteered serving at the Airport and Arctica where he was known by his Playa name of "Airport Mayor or Mayor" Kevin reveled in this event which coincided with his birthday celebrations. Once again, he garnered international "burner" friends with his wit, humor and life time stories.
Arizona was Kevin's home, he called himself a desert rat having lived in Yuma for over fifty years, his greatest joy was going to camp in the desert and watch the stars. Sadly, when he was diagnosed with cancer, he was in Reno, Nevada and decided to stay in the city to be close to the Cancer Institute to receive treatment. Kevin, had intended to spend his last days in Santa Cruz, California to wistfully enjoy the ocean views. Kevin left the world and his friends with many stories which will be told repeatedly with smiles and tears for many years.
Kevin was preceded in death by his parents Hilda Catherine & George Bowman, Stepfather Arron, Brothers, Eric and Randy (George Randall) He is survived by global family and friends.
Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday April 26, 2025 at Amesti Schoolhouse, 315 Green Valley Road, Watsonville, CA 95076. Further details will be published on Caring Bridge April 1, 2025 or you may contact 831-334-7877. Donations in Kevin's name can be made to: Gadsden Elementary School, PO Box 6870, San Luis, Az 85349 please write Kevin Bowman in memo. Thank you.