Walter D Bowman, 78, of Kansas City, MO, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at CHI St Vincent Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas where he had been visiting family. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 am with the Funeral Mass beginning at 10:30 am Friday, November 10, 2023 at Queen of the Holy Rosary, 7023 West 71st Street, Overland Park, KS 66204. Burial in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, KS.
Walter was born January 31, 1945, in Harvard, IL to Robert and Virginia (Overton) Bowman. Walter was an Eagle Scout in his earlier years growing up in Huntley, IL. He graduated from Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock, IL in 1963 and was inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012 for his abilities in football, basketball, track and baseball. He received his Undergraduate BA in Mathematics at Dartmouth University in Hanover, New Hampshire. He received a Master's Degree in Physics from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. Walter was in the Peace Corps with his first wife and 2 children in Africa for about 2 years. He was and Educator for Catholic schools in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas and Missouri; most recently at Visitation Catholic Schools. His career included Coaching both basketball and football at several of the high school where he taught. He was a dedicated teacher and was still teaching math part time until the time of his death. He held the position of Principal at St Viator's Catholic High School in Arlington Heights, IL; as well as Mater Dei Catholic High School in Evansville, IN; and also, at Archbishop O'Hara Catholic High School in Kansas City, MO. Walter had retired from his administrative education path and yet still continued to substitute teach as well as part time teaching when called upon. As well, he taught full time at Cristo Rey Kansas City High School. He taught Mathematics at all levels, as well as Physics and Religion throughout his long career. He was a member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish. Walter was known for his kindness, his amicable manner of living life, his love and knowledge of sports and his overall ability to please anyone he met without even trying. He was both humble and genuinely down to earth as a man, a husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and mentor to his students. He will be missed by many and thought of with love. May God bless his memory and give strength to those who grieve the loss of such a truly good soul.
His life with his dear wife Connie was full of activities; Cruises, TopGolf, bowling, movies, theatre productions, symphony performances, Royals baseball games, Chiefs football games, high school sports attendees and the list goes on. Their loving relationship continued to blossom through the good times and the hard times.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Francie Klocek Bowman in 1977, and his sister Pat Bowman Traven. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Connie J. Bowman, two children, Monica (Craig), Brian (Michael), siblings Barbara Jean (Richard), Bob (Ann), Grace (Susan), five grandchildren Adam, Rachel, Faith, Joel, Abigail and many extended family members and friends, students and fellow educators. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
The family requests Memorials to Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 7023 West 71st Street, Overland Park, KS 66204