The passing of Mike Bowler is an end of an era.I got to know Mike and his family nearly 50 years ago when my husband, John Jones, served as communications officer for Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS). Throughout my career as a science teacher and administrator in BCPS, I looked to Mike for accurate and in-depth reporting. For him it was not just the issue, but how it affected the people involved. He always gave Baltimore City Schools fair treatment and saw the promise as well as the problems of urban education. We had many discussions-and even arguments- over the years.

His service to Baltimore County as a school board member and frequent volunteer in schools is well documented. Less well known is his recent service to Baltimore City schools. For over ten years Mike Bowler was a member of the Digital Harbor High School Advisory Board, where I served as Assistant Principal. He attended almost every meeting – even in the last few years when he was in failing health. He brought a national, state and local perspective that informed the board.

Mike was the featured speaker at the 2017 induction of the National Honor Society. He reflected on his own induction in high school in Helena, Montana decades before and described the enduring value of scholarship, leadership, character and service for which NHS stands.

Mike and his family made generous contributions to scholarships for Digital Harbor graduates and attended the annual DIGIBALL gala to raise funds.He took personal interest in students and asked about how they were doing in college. His wife, Margaret, gave advice to students on navigating the financial aid maze and tips on how to be successful in college.

“Friends are our family of choice.” It has been my pleasure to be part of the Bowler family and to share many of life’s ups and downs with them over the years. Mike and Margaret have been part of most of the significant occasions in my adult life. I consider their son, Stephen a protegee. His choice of career in the environmental sciences is partially due to my influence- I hope.

In an amazing parallel, while I recuperated from my breast cancer 20 years ago, Mike and Margaret helped care for my husband, John Jones, who was in home hospice. Now Margaret is battling breast cancer and Mike, like John, has completed his journey. The cycle of life continues.

Peace- Andrea Bowden

Mike was the kind of reporter that anyone wanting to be a journalist would want to be like - curious, a great writer, fair, someone people of all stripes could trust ( I remember how he wooed and wowed the creation textbook couple from Texas!).  I preceded him as president of EWA, which means we spent about 10 years together on the  EWA board,  He always was thoughtful, gracious, and completely devoted to helping other reporters and protecting the profession.  He also had an impish kind of humor - and a great beer can collection!

There are a few people in one's life whose existence remains with you forever and makes your life better.  Mike was that kind of person for me.

Our son Wyatt was about five months old when we had bought our house next to Mike and Margaret in September 2004 but hadn’t moved in yet because we still had a house that we were trying to sell in Pennsylvania. We had come up one weekend probably in October to rake leaves, and Mike had seen us outside and invited us to their annual before Thanksgiving party. I’ll never forget it because we didn’t have any furniture in our house we slept on the floor in sleeping bags. We went to that party and met some people from the neighborhood and it was great! Mike and Margaret have been the best neighbors and we will miss Mike terribly! Another fun memory is of our daughter, clara, singing to Mike at another one of their parties a few years ago. I’m sure others who were at the party might remember,  it was very touching! Mike and Clara definitely had a special bond.