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When the Sentinel asked me if I would be interested in writing a story for its Faces of the Juniata Valley publication I only thought about it for a couple of minutes. Sure, why not, I figured. A lot of people have had a positive influence on me, and I wanted to share with readers some of my experiences in the areas of family, teachers and a favorite minister. Though the world of sports has been a major part of my life, I decided that non-sports influences should be the focus for my Sentinel story.
Little did I know that literally two days after Faces of the Juniata Valley came out, Mifflin County would lose one of the most beloved gentlemen I have ever known. Robert “Bo” Bowman died this past Monday, and many of his former football players and Lewistown Area High School athletes in general are now hurting. Bo was a down to earth guy with a great sense of humor, and he would do anything for you.
During the last decade of LAHS, Bo served as an assistant trainer to Panther trainers Heather Pore and Donna Kellogg. Bo was also a regular visitor to the Panther Club concession stand at football and basketball games. Panther Club President Carl Smith and the concession workers used to get a good laugh when Bo would stop for a hot dog and tell them to “put it on my tab!” I used to tease Bo that his tab was approaching the size of the U.S. debt. With all the great advice and support Bo offered through the years to athletes, coaches and parents, we really should have paid him!
A native of Sayre, Bo used to kid with my mother about being the old timers from the state’s Northern Tier. My mother grew up in Mansfield and she, along with my Aunt Jean, knew Bo from his college days at Mansfield. Bo and my mom were both born in 1926, and they both loved talking about the good old days at Mansfield.
It was always fun kidding Bo and I liked to tease him about his hometown. I would ask, “What was the name of that place again where you grew up?” He would always respond with a big grin, “Sayre, Pa.”
One of my favorite jobs (aside from being the girls’ basketball coach at Lewistown) was being the public address announcer at Panther football games. During one game near the end of the school’s existence I decided I was going to, somehow, find a score from Sayre High School’s football game that night.
Since we are in the cell phone age and you can look up just about anything, I started calling radio stations and newspapers in and around Sayre, trying to find out a score. After many failed attempts, I finally cashed in! A reporter working the news desk at a newspaper told me he didn’t know the score of the game but that they had a reporter covering the game. I briefly explained what I was doing (and I am sure he thought I was totally nuts), and he gave me the reporter’s cell phone number. I called the sports reporter and got an in-game score!
With a brief break in the action during the Lewistown game, I started, as was customary, reading scores from other games. After going over the usual games (Indian Valley, Huntingdon, State College, Juniata), I added, “And this score just in: Late in the third quarter it is Sayre 27, Wyalusing 0.” Always standing on the Panther sideline during games, Bo immediately turned around and looked up at the press box and gave me that Bowman grin. Anyone who knew Bo knows exactly what I am talking about! He was still laughing about it after the game was over.
On a serious note, the entire community lost a great man in Bob Bowman. Decades of athletes benefitted from his insight and encouragement. When my teams would take the floor, Bo was always there with a “Go, go, go!” as they went by. I will never forget his kindness and his backing – win or lose. If our team won a big game, Bo would say, “Good job, coach!” If we happened to lose, he was there to say, “Tough one, tonight. But hey, you’re doing a great job with those kids. Keep it up!” That was just Bo being Bo – always a supporter.
During my first term as a county commissioner I was extremely fortunate to come in contact with Bo in another venue at meetings of the Mifflin County Solid Waste Authority. Bo was a long time member of the Authority, and the meetings were extra special because they included Panther Club friend Carl Smith and forever friend Dave Conner as fellow Authority members. Chairman Frank Welsh always ended each meeting by looking at Bo, and Bo would say, “I make a motion we adjourn!” Those meetings occurred at 8 in the morning and always included post-meeting doughnuts, so we always got on Bo that he wanted to adjourn so that he could get at those tasty treats. Of course he said he had to make a quick effort at one before I ate them all. Smart guy, that Bo!
People in the area have a chance to make Bo’s legacy live on, as memorials in Bo’s name may be made to the Justin Henry or Susan Baker Scholarship Funds, P.O. Box 301, McVeytown, or to the Mifflin County Huskies Scholarship Fund, 501 Sixth St., Lewistown.
I know I speak for all who knew him when I say, “We love you, Bo, and we will miss you. May you rest in peace.” Please remember Bo’s wife Nancy and all of his family members with prayers as they remember their loved one.
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Kevin Kodish is a Mifflin County Commissioner and continues to coach basketball at Juniata High School.