PAUL W. BOWEN

DOD: 07-25-2023

Residence: Sandy Beach, Alaska

Paul Bowen taught Earth Science and Space Science to sophomores - seniors at Petersburg High School in Petersburg, AK. until his retirement after 36 years to spend more time with his wife. 

AWARDS:  1978 ALASKA TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Paul Bowen was a geology teacher at Petersburg High School. With frequent field trips to mines and glaciers, and even overnight prospecting ventures, his classroom was as expansive as his subject itself. His success in obtaining an advanced seismograph let students put theory into practice, and even contribute to the data banks of the Alaska Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer. This former Alaska Teacher of the Year (1978), the only educator to involve students in America's prestigious Le Conte Glacier Study, worked doggedly to place graduates in federal and state geological jobs. Indeed, the surveying program he began in 1967 has provided more than $2 million in gross earnings to former students working as full-time and seasonal technicians.

Staying as active as possible was important to him. Summers found Bowen camping on beaches during the trolling season. His daughters traveled from abroad to spend time fishing with their father which he started doing annually in '68.

Paul was part of the CAPABLE pilot program which he remained on until his death. See article below:

 https://www.petersburgpilot.com/story/2022/02/17/news/grant-funded-program-helps-keep-elders-capable-of-aging-in-place/11842.html