Wendell Bowers

October 18, 2017

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Wendell Bowers, 91, was born on September 21, 1926, to Lela and Ross Bowers in Illinois. He passed away on October, 18, 2017, in Green Valley, AZ. Wendell entered the Navy V-12 program following high school graduation and participated in officers’ training at Notre Dame, Indiana State University, and the University of Illinois, enabling him to be commissioned in 1947. He later returned to the University of Illinois where he completed the bachelor’s and master’s degree in agriculture engineering. On September 18, 1948, he married Dorothy Peterson. They are the parents of three daughters, Betsy Aldridge, Louise (Collin) Fry, and Kristin (Richard) Nelson. Betty predeceased Wendell on September 19, 2006. On March 31, 2012, Wendell and Sue Poppaw were married. Wendell spent 16 years at the University of Illinois and 18 years at Oklahoma State University where he was an extension agriculture engineer. In 1968, he received the Superior Service Award from the USDA; in 1971, he reached the grade of fellow (highest level possible) in the national Agricultural Engineering Society. He authored numerous books and publications before retiring in 1985. Wendell was tireless in working on behalf of seniors in Arizona, and he received several notable awards in recognition of his efforts. In addition to his wife, daughters, and sons-in-law, he is survived by five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.