Bruce Frank Bowman
BRUCE FRANK BOWMAN
Sadly, Bruce passed away suddenly April 29, 2009, as a result of an aneurysm. Already he is sorely missed by his wife, Rosemary, and all his wonderful friends and family. A celebration of Bruce’s life will be held at McCall Brothers Floral Chapel, Johnson at Vancouver St., May 6th 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the David Pendray Memorial Fund, c/o ALS Society of BC . Condolences for the family may be offered at www.mccallbros.com
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Rosie,
So sorry to learn about Bruce’s untimely passing. The collective RCMP family will be there for you should you need support.
Rosie, Mario and I were shocked and saddened at Bruce’s
passing. There are no words that could ease your pain
right now but please know that we are keeping you in our
prayers and thoughts. God Bless
Rosie,
Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Don & Doreen Shaughnessy
Remembering Big Bruce
Yesterday, I heard of the passing of Bruce Bowman. I didn’t know him well, but for those of us who participated in LifeSport workouts in the last few years, he was a quiet presence. Training steadily towards completing his first Ironman. That accomplished; I remember seeing him with his wife Rosie, in the line to sign-up for Ironman Canada 2009 — his goal now being an improved time.
Today, I went for a run around The Lake; and in my mind I decided to dedicate this feeble effort to the memory of Big Bruce. Trying to reminisce over the few conversations and encounters Audrey and I had with Bruce and Rosie, as I plodded up the west side and then along north side towards Hamsterly Beach.
On Audrey suggestion, I picked-up the pace for 3km towards the end of the run. I struggled with the first k, but then the endorphins really kicked-in — you know that feeling; when it seems that you could maintain that pace forever, where every stride feels stronger than the last. I don’t know about you, but occasionally I feel a sort of separation of mind from the trail. And though it doesn’t last, I sense that I’m taller, and my feet; though they must be on the ground; are not taking my full weight. At that moment, I thought of Bruce and where he may be now: on a ‘Runner’s High,’ doing triathlons whenever he likes. Where the water is calm and you don’t need a wetsuit — not because of the temperature, but because you have a ‘kick.’ Where the wind is always at your back, and you never back-off after cresting a hill. Where you maintain a 90-cadence, and run through the aid stations. And always, a podium finish.
As I think of Bruce, I’d like to imagine that this is the endgame for all of us. Pat Brown
Rosie: I am extremely sorry to hear the sad news but trust you have the support of close family and many good friends. Cliff
Dear Rosie,
We are very sorry to hear about Bruce’s sudden passing. Our thoughts are with you.
love George & Lesley
Rosie:
Although we did not know Bruce, we wanted you to know you are in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time in your life. Our sincere condolences to you.
Love,
Phil and Jill, Kamloops
On behalf of the two families we wish to express our deepest condonlences on the passing of Bruce.
Dear Rosie,
I am deeply sorry for your sudden loss of such a good guy. My thoughts and sympathy are with you, your family and friends.
Andy Rosequist
I was deeply saddened when Mike Duncan informed me of Bruce’s sudden passing. My heart goes out to Rosie and the family. I have good memories of Bruce when we worked in the same buildings in Vancouver and Ottawa, and recall his love for Western Canada. The last time I saw Bruce was at a book fair in Ottawa and I could tell that Bruce was enjoying his move into retirement, with the woman he loved. May God bless…
peter german
We were very sorry to hear the news of Bruces’ sudden passing. Please accept our sympathies and condolences.
Rodger and Marg Wallace
I was very sad to hear of Bruce’s unexpected and untimely passing. Bruce and I were RCMP colleagues in the late 70’s and early 80’s at what was then Colwood Detachment. He was a great partner and someone you could always trust to “back you up” in difficult situations. Being “little Bruce” it was very, very nice to have “big Bruce” standing beside me.
Rosie, I am very sorry for your loss and remember you telling me how proud you were of Bruce’s recent Ironman accomplishments. I wish I could say more but I am still shocked at hearing this sad news.
warmly,
Bruce Brown
Rosie & all the Bowman Clan,
We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of my cousin Bruce. He was a wonderful, kind and caring man. He was my inspiration to join Strathclyde Police and I still hold dear the wonderful camping trip back in 1981.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Brian & Karen Field, Scotland
Rosie
My wife and I extend our condolences to you. I knew Bruce from a few meetings over the years but as is typical in the Force we had colleagues and acquaintences in common. Once again our sympathies and condolences
Wayne and Jo-Ann Watson
Rosemary,
My wife and I are shocked to hear of the sudden passing of Bruce.
Although we never met him, we are part of the “RCMP Family” and grieve with you and your family.
Our hearts and prayers go out to you.
We have enjoyed your piano playing at San Pen ECU many times.
Arthur & Algerine Seibel
[better known as the dog man or piano man.
Hi Rosie, I am very sad and shocked to hear of Bruce’s sudden passing. I always remember him as being very professional when we worked together. My thoughts and prayers are with you…murray
As members of LifeSport, Bruce and I swam in the same lane at Commonwealth.
He was quick to smile, to say ” Hello” and keen to start the swim workout. Bruce was always encouraging, and could tell when I was tiring. He’d say to tuck in behind him to take advantage of the air bubbles in his wake!
Bruce was a kind and thoughtful person.
I’m very sad and sorry to learn of his passing
My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Dear Rosie,
We are shocked and sorry to hear the sad news of Bruce’s passing. Our thoughts are with you during this very difficult time.
Love,
Judy & Rick
Rosie,
It’s been a long time since I have seen either Bruce or yourself. Peter managed to keep tabs on who was where and what was happening.
I am very saddened to hear of his passing, but I do remember him as another of the Victoria group who worked and played hard. My prayers will be with him and Peter will help him on his way.
Take care
Karen Eakins
Rosie;
Margaret and I are shocked to hear of the sudden passing of Bruce. I first met Bruce in the early 70’s when I was stationed in Nanaimo and he was an RCMP Auxillary. I enjoyed his support and partnership and most of all his great down to earth demeanor and proffesional common sense. We were pleased to see him join the Force and transfered to Victoria where our paths met again in preparing the security on many VIP’s visiting Victoria. Our luck continued in the early 80’s when the Force sponsored us to attended UBC together on the Commerce Program. Bruce was a wonderful person and great friend that will be missed.
Our hearts and prayers go out to you.
We cannot express adequately, our deep sorry and shock at the loss of Bruce. I believe that God never gives us more than we can handle, but, sometimes I wish I could have a good sit down with him and ask him why??????
Stay strong Rosie and be nurtured by the thought that he loved you with all his heart and I am sure he misses you just as much as you miss him.
All our love and prayers are with you.
Joyce and Duncan and family.
We cannot express adequately, our deep sorry and shock at the loss of Bruce. I believe that God never gives us more than we can handle, but, sometimes I wish I could have a good sit down with him and ask him why??????
Stay strong Rosie and be nurtured by the thought that he loved you with all his heart and I am sure he misses you just as much as you miss him.
All our love and prayers are with you.
Rosie….After the shock had passed, the memories started flowing. Bruce was a total asset on the job, sincere, dedicated and best of all, fun to be with. He gave his best at whatever he set his sights on and his successes were many and varied. Amongst other memories, I have been revisiting the fishing trips, time spent in the Langford fire hall and a moose hunting trip to Chetwynd. All good times…His passing is untimely but the life he had was fully lived. Our condolences…
Jim & Sherry Swanson
Dear Rosie:
Although we did not know Bruce, we wanted to let you know how sorry we were to hear of Bruce’s sudden passing. Colombe and I would like to offer you our heart felt condolences and let you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bruce was one of my favourite students and although he hasn’t been at the Vancouver Island School of Art for awhile, we all think of him often and from time to time, someone would ask ‘have you heard from Bruce lately?:. He was there when I first started the school and always willing to help and support in anyway he could. And that meant so much to me. When I first made a little office space for myself at the school (which at that time was only one room), Bruce brought me a lovely glass etching of a butterfly he made himself to put on my desk. He also made wooden leg extensions for the table that was my desk so that my file caddy would fit under it . I loved his humour and his absolute openness to learning about art. We are quite a contemporary art school and Bruce came from a more traditional background, yet he was always open to trying something new. I am very sad to know he won’t be returning to our school in the fall.
His spirit, however, is beside me with the glass butterfly near my computer. We all miss you here at VISA! You will live on in my heart.
Wendy Welch
Director, Vancouver Island School of Art
I met Bruce in the fall/winter semesters of 2004-5, when our school, the Vancouver Island School of Art, was just getting started. Bruce was (as I’m sure everyone will comment here) a steady, reassuring presence. I was often impressed at his willingness to try out new ideas in a class, even when they were unorthodox. I recall he helped a lot as well, with the many things that needed looking after around the school. Once I met him as he was moving a very large load of drywall or lumber up the stairs and wasn’t sure how to help without getting in the way. “Kind of a one-man job”, he said, “don’t worry about it.” That image sort of forms a picture for me of his attitude toward things.
Rosie,
Please accept the most sincere condolences of the Saanich
Peninsula Hospital Family Council (Extended Care). He was
a fine person who made the lives of many much richer by his
passing through their lives.
Phil Jamieson, Chairman.
Rosie,
We heard today of Bruce’s passing and we are shocked and deeply saddened. Our sincere condolences and thoughts are with you at this most difficult time. Bruce was an amazing person.
Love, Don and Pip
My Dad let me know of Bruce’s sudden passing. I remember Bruce coming to our house for dinner or just finishing up the leftovers. I also remember the Christmas parties and work BBQs in Colwood and Bruce always made me laugh as a kid. I am so sorry that you and your family have to go through this. I remember him as one of Dad’s really nice friends.
Rosie,
We were shocked to hear of Bruce’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Sincerely condoleances,
Bryan & Murielle
Rosie
We are truly shocked and saddened to hear of Bruce’s sudden and untimely passing. Our thoughts are with you at this most difficult time.
Diane and Ernie Maidment
Ottawa, ON
Just learned of the tragic passing of Bruce. The World is a poorer place without him. Please accept our deepest condolences and prayers during these difficult times. We have fond memories our our time together in Vancouver CCS and his memory will live on in our minds and hearts!
Doug & Judy McLay
and
Rosie
I just heard today of Bruce’s passing and was shocked and deeply saddened. My sincere condolences and thoughts are with you at this most difficult time
Jim
Rosie – Today Kathy and I were saddened to hear of Bruce’s passing and would like to offer our sincerest condolences. We had been away and as a result just learned of this today. I certainly enjoyed working with Bruce and knowing both of you for those years in the 90’s. Our thoughts are with you ….Kathy and Arch
To all of you that are viewing this – I want to thank you for all your kind wishes – they are of some comfort to me and remind me of what a truely amazing man I was married to. We were so happy. I encourage any of you to contact me at anytime to chat. It helps me, I think. I am rosiebowman@shaw.ca – thank you again for everything. Life will carry on – Rosie
I am very saddened to hear about Bruce’s sudden passing. He was not only my classmate in High school but he also became my brother-in-law and therfore a part of our family. I remember him as a very strong yet gentle person. Through he was not a part of my life in the recent years, I still remember him fondly. My heart goes out to Rosie, Buff, Bob and Joan for their loss. Hold on the fond memories.
Rosie;
Maureen and I were deeply saddened to hear of Bruce’s passing.
As a troopmate and policing colleague, Bruce inspired all those around him. As a friend, his breadth of interests and skills made him
a delight to be around. We will remember the many happy times in Regina, Vancouver and Ottawa.
Our thoughts and fond wishes are with you.
Jack and Maureen