City officials and residents are paying tribute this week to former mayor and council member Walter K. Bowman, who unexpectedly passed away at the age of 81.
Walter Keith Bowman passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 17, 2019. He was born in Hastings, Michigan on August 20, 1938. Growing up on a dairy farm in Alto, Michigan, Walt learned the value of hard work, excelling in both 4-H and Future Farmers of America. After graduating from Caledonia High School in 1956, Walt served in the U. S. Army from 1958 to 1961. While stationed near Frankfurt, Germany, he developed a taste for travel and German beer.
Walt met his wife, Ethel, at his birthday party in August of 1961. They were married on February 24, 1962 and enjoyed a happy marriage for those 57 years. In the winter of 1963, he reached his lifetime threshold for snow shoveling, sold the furniture, and moved the family to California. Walt graduated from California State University Long Beach in 1971 with a degree in Finance and founded Bowman Real Estate in 1974. He worked diligently to build up his business and was proud of its success.
Anyone who knew Walt will attest to his commitment to serving his community. Walt served the city of Cypress as a councilman and also as mayor. He was a member of the Cypress Kiwanis Club, Boys and Girls Club, Stanton Little League, Cypress College Foundation, Cypress Chamber of Commerce, Cypress Police Foundation, and the Board of Realtors. Through this involvement, he became an expert in pancake flipping, Christmas tree lots, and fireworks stands. Even in his late seventies, Walt was out delivering Meals on Wheels to seniors in the community. He had a talent for singing, and enjoyed performing with the church Choir.
Walt is survived by his wife, Ethel; daughters, Elizabeth Ernst, and Gretchen Bowman; daughter-in-law, Jillian Fleming Bowman; grandchildren, Garrett Ernst (Bree), Nathan Ernst, Allison Telarroja (Anthony), Mikayla Bowman, Ashlyn Bowman, and Brady Bowman; siblings, Helen Robinette (Burke), June Stokoe (Charley), Mike Bowman, and Galen Bowman; sister-in-law, Karen Teatum; brothers-in-law, Mickey Fisher and Clyde Fisher; and many nieces and nephews. We will miss his BBQ skills and his excellent popcorn. He was preceded in death by his son Eric and brother Austin (Evelyn). Services are scheduled for Thursday, November 21st at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 4321 Cerritos Avenue, Cypress. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, the Cypress College Foundation, or Kiwanis Club of Cypress.