Chuck Bowe dies at age 78

Bowe is a long-time educator who worked in real estate for Don Nunamaker Realtors, and in property development, from 1983 until shortly before his death. The Bowe Addition in west Hood River is among the areas named for him.

Bowe Auditorium at Hood River Valley High School is also named for the man who was the first principal of the high school.

He was principal of the old Wy’east High School in Odell in the 1960s, and also served as principal of Parkdale High School for one year. He became principal of HRVHS when Wy’east and Hood River high schools merged in 1970. Bowe was a teacher, coach, counselor, and principal in his many years with Hood River County School District.

Bowe is a former Hood River Rotary president, and was named “Boss of the Year” by Hood River Jaycees in 1975, after being nominated by the staff at HRVHS.

Bowe grew up in the Hood River Valley and attended Parkdale High School, before finishing his prep work at a high school in New York state. He entered the Army and served in the Philippines during World War II.

In a 1991 interview with the Hood River News, Bowe looked back fondly, and with his typical dry humor, on his years in education:

“I loved the work. I love the kids. I just didn’t realize how much stress I was under until I retired.”

Services are pending at Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals-Receptions-Cremations), 541-386-1000. A full obituary will run in the July 2 edition of the Hood River News.