0488 – PASCO-KENNEWICK (WA) BRANCH / RICHLAND (WA) CONGREGATION : Bowerman, Stephen L – His Struggle With Leukemia (1957)
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description of work: An article about Stephen Leroy Bowerman, and his battle with leukemia, published in the December 1, 1957, edition of Tri-City Herald, serving Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Washington. Steve was a member of the Richland (WA) RLDS Church. tags: Steve Bowerman, Stephen Leroy Bowerman, Irene Bowerman, Irene White, Richland Washington, South Columbia Irrigation District, E. L. Bowerman, Edward LeRoy Bowerman, Laura Bowerman, Laure Rosalee Anderson, David Bowerman, Ted Bowerman, Hi Cyprus, Glen Bowerman, Pasco Washington, RLDS Church, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Bob Moe, Ben Grant, Alton Haymaker, Bill Miller, Louis Enlow, James Johnson, Bob Sullivan, Goldie Sage, Goldie Gladis Anderson, Cal Sage, James Calvin Sage |
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Stephen Leroy Bowerman was born on May 28, 1917, in Andes, Montana, son of Edward LeRoy and Laura Rosalee (Anderson) Bowerman. He married Irene White on the 21st of February 1943 in Spokane, WA. He died on March 13, 1958, at the age of 40 years, 9 months, and 13 days in Pasco, Washington. He was a nephew of Goldie Gladis (Anderson) Sage and cousin to James Calvin ‘Cal’ Sage. |
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A devout Block 15 farmer is looking death in the face with a smile. He is Steve Bowerman, husky, radiant-looking farmer of about 40 who with his family has developed Unit 170 from sagebrush into productive acres overlooking Hanford project on the Columbia River. |
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Across the level fields the snow-capped Blue Mountains look just right over there. On clear days Bowerman can see them through the picture window in the home he built with his own hands. It’s truly a beautiful sight, any direction you look, and the farm is rated one of the best in the block. It has deep silt loam soil. |
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Bowerman worked hard to develop his farm. He moved in during 1955, the year of the big blow. He was the first man to harvest green peas in the South Columbia Irrigation District. He continued working hard as farmers do. |
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Mrs. Bowerman had an office job with Pasco School District. The three children, Kari, 14, in junior high, Steve, 12 and Mike, 10, did their part on the farm. They grew corn, peas, dry peas, alfalfa, sugar beets and other crops on their 155-acre unit. Eighty acres are irrigable. Everything on the farm seemed fine. |
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Then about a month ago, Bowerman knew something was wrong. He felt listless, run down. He went to the doctor. After extensive tests he received news, a week ago last Friday, which would have floored the ordinary person. He has acute leukemia and was given little hope for recovery. But Steve Bowerman was not and is not defeated. He realizes the seriousness of the disease and can talk about it as calmly and cordially as he talked about his peas during that first harvest. After learning how serious his ailment can be, Mr. and Mrs. Bowerman looked to the future. |
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Visiting with him and his wife is his father, E. L. Bowerman from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada, and his brother, David, from Independence, Missouri, who also show the same deep faith. Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Bowerman from Prince Albert, his father and mother; his brothers, David from Independence, and Ted from Prince Albert; and a sister, Mrs. Hi Cyprus, Vancouver, B. C., came to visit Steve and another brother, Glen, of Pasco. |
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Neighbors heard Steve was sick. So many turned out the day before Thanksgiving, to stack his hay, that it was hard to keep track of them. Thanksgiving Day the family enjoyed dinner at Glen’s home. |
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Farmers and members of Bowerman’s church, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Richland, WA, came back Friday to gather his corn and prepare the soil for another crop. A county grader landscaped the farmstead and friends worked on a machine shed. Among the many who showed up were Bob Moe, Ben Grant, Alton Haymaker, Bill Miller, Louis Enlow, James Johnson and others. Members of the Reorganized LDS Church from Pasco helped Saturday. Bob Sullivan was scheduled to ploy the land. Another work day was slated for Monday. |
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This is not charity in the ordinary sense of helping the down and out. The Bowermans are not down and they’re not out. The farmers and friends just want to give a helping hand and the Bowermans are thankful. |
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Mrs. Bowerman has taken a month off from her job at Pasco Junior High School. They are preparing for an unknown future. The |
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The entire Bowerman family is devout. Steve is an elder in the Reorganized LDS Church; his father a patriarch; and each son, in the past, has been head of a church. Two prayer services were held recently for Steve, one in Pasco and one in Richland. At one service the elder Mr. Bowerman said, “Whatever happens will be the will of God.” |
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Steve Bowerman is at peace. He is planning to sell his farm as calmly as if he were going to take a trip or move to town. He hasn’t given up hope. He said “It was quite a shock” when he was told he had leukemia, but he said every man must meet his Maker sooner or later. He is confident that only the best is in store for him. |
