Gerald Freeman Bowles

Gerald (Jerry) Freeman Bowles April 18, 1935 - October 17, 2014 Gerald (Jerry) Freeman Bowles, son of Freeman and Mildred Bowles, was born in Lake Andes, South Dakota on April 18th, 1935. At age 3, Jerry moved with his family, to Dell Rapids, South Dakota where he spent his childhood. At age 16, he moved to a farm near Chester, South Dakota with his mother and step father (Walter Potas). In May 1953 Jerry graduated from Chester High School in Chester, South Dakota. He went onto receive his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in June of 1960 from South Dakota State University. After moving to Denver, Colorado he earned an MBA from the University of Denver in December, 1967. Interrupting his college years, Jerry served two years in the Air Force (1955-1957). From 1957 - 1960 Jerry was a 1st Lt. with the 175th Fighter Interceptor Squadron for the South Dakota Air National Guard at Joe Foss Field, Sioux Fall, South Dakota. In 1960, Jerry began his career as a professional Civil Engineer at Flaming Gorge Dam in Utah. He worked for the Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and transferred to the Denver Federal Center in 1961 where he remained until he retired in May of 1994. From 1961 - 1977, Jerry worked on the design and construction of large dams. In 1980, he became a Specialist/Assistant Section Head in concreate dam design. From 1987-1988, Jerry was the Assistant Division Chief for the division of the dams and waterway design including: concreate dams, spill ways and outlets, embankment dams and instrumentation. From 1988 until he retired in May of 1994, Jerry held the position of Chief of Hazardous Waste, Technical Assistants Office as well as Manager of the Superfund Assistance Program. Jerry was also a proud member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the United States Society on Dams (USSD). During his years with the Bureau, Jerry was able to enjoy many special assignments. He travelled to Romania, Egypt, Columbia, China and Iraq. He also took lengthy assignments in the Philippines and Malaysia where he was able to take his family. On October 17th, 2014 Jerry Bowles passed away at Littleton Adventist Hospital, the cause of death was heart failure. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Carol Joan Hammer Bowles and his two children, Derek Freeman Bowles (Donna) and Deidre Joan Bowles White (John). Jerry had two grandchildren, Shantelle Cheyenne White Thomas (Dan), Nicole Lynn White (Erik) and two great grandchildren Caydence Ivory Thomas and Landon Lyric Thomas. Jerry is also survived by three sisters, Jean Berge (Baltic, SD), Joanne Park (Sioux Falls, SD) and Janice Johnson (Don) (Garretson, SD). On November, 25th 2014, from 1:00-3:00, Jerry's family is planning a Celebration of a Memorable Life, open house, at Wind Crest Retirement Community, 3085 Mill Vista Rd., Highlands Ranch, Colorado, in the Fireside Lounge. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association in Jerry's honor. We ask that you please use the comments section at the Stork website to upload photos and share your fondest memories or favorite stories. www.storkfamilymortuary.com www.heart.org