Richard A. 'Dick' Bowman

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Bowman, Richard A. "Dick" aged 75, passed away on September 7th, 2016. Preceded in death by parents Roy and Grace Bowman of Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Survived by wife Terri; children Robert, Kimberly, Lance Wheelock, Lori Hatton (Bob); granddaughter Brenna; sisters Mary Seidler and Rosalie Gallagher; twin brother Bob, and numerous nieces, nephews, and other loved ones. Son of an Iowa turkey farmer, Dick attended country school in a building later plumbed and electrified for use as a hog barn. He graduated from Mt. Vernon High School, having participated in athletics, theatre, music, student government, and debate. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cornell College in 1962 while serving as a reservist in the U.S. Marine Corps. Following graduation, he moved to Minneapolis with then wife Mary, and attended the University of Minnesota Law School on full scholarship, graduating with honors. He joined the law firm now known as Gray Plant Mooty and began a stellar career as a trial lawyer. In 1985, he cofounded Bowman and Brooke with good friend Jeff Brooke and their national practice began. For decades, Dick's larger than life personality dominated courtrooms coast to coast, "Anytime, anywhere, fearless and peerless." Ultimately dubbed the "father figure of automotive transport litigation," Dick built the nation's largest automotive product liability defense practice, and shaped the product liability landscape for the entire industry. Married to Terri In 1990, Dick and Terri worked together for the next 30 years. Outside the courtroom, Dick was an avid hot air balloonist, enthusiastic ballroom dance competitor with Terri, animal lover, cross-country motorcyclist, bonfire builder, and voracious reader. Dick's energy, charisma, sense of humor, and genuine interest in people served him well in both his personal and professional lives. Dick will be remembered for his wit, warmth, generosity, and compassion. He served on the boards of the Minneapolis Aquatennial, Calvary Lutheran Church of Golden Valley, Twin Cities choir Magnum Chorum, and the Lafayette Club. Dick and his brother Bob have been active members of Delta Phi Rho fraternity of Cornell College. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 18, from 1:00 - 4:00 PM, at The Lafayette Club, 2800 Northview Road, Minnetonka Beach, MN. A short program will commence at 2:00 pm. Memorials preferred to the Animal Humane Society of Golden Valley, or the Delta Phi Rho Lecture Fund at Cornell College in Iowa.

Published on September 11, 2016