Bruce Michael Bowman, 81 of Washington, Indiana, was born on November 9, 1942. He found peace August 4, 2024. Bruce is survived by brother Gary (Lisa) of Vincennes, IN sister Camilla Bowman Sticklen (Jim) of Macomb, IL, and step sons Charles Compton of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Joe Compton of Reno, Nevada, and Tim Compton of Pinckney, Michigan. He was preceded in death in 2015 by his beloved wife of 33 years, “Mickey” Marion (Julier) (Compton) Bowman. Bruce was born in Inglewood, California, to parents Robert B. Bowman and Miriam Beabout Bowman.
Bruce graduated from Sheridan Indiana High School where he was valedictorian. Bruce went on to Indiana University where he graduated with Honors in Physics. He continued at IU for a Master’s degree and then moved to Ann Arbor studying at the University of Michigan for a Ph. D. in Engineering Mechanics, interning one summer with NASA at Langley Air Force Base. After graduating, he joined the Biomechanics Department staff at UMTRI (University of Michigan Traffic Research Institute., where he was in the biomathematics group in the Biosciences Division. His work there as Associate Research Scientist and Research Scientist was primarily in development and application of two and three-dimensional models for computer simulation of the interaction of an automobile occupant with the occupant compartment and restraint systems in a car crash, thus allowing auto companies to better design passenger protection in real-world crashes. Bruce also consulted in at least 50 product liability cases, doing analysis and testifying in depositions and trials. He retired from UMTRI in 1997.
Away from work, Bruce among other interests enjoyed playing cards. Cribbage was his favorite two-handed game, and he authored a cribbage computer game. One of Bruce’s great interests was bird watching, which he began much later in life. He did most of his birding in Michigan and Ohio but also made several trips out of the area to bird. He stopped birding after 18 years because both he and Mickey had health problems but continued to contribute to his avocation by running the Southeast Michigan birders sighting email group for 22 years.
His greatest enjoyment in life was playing duplicate bridge with wife Mickey. Partnering with Mickey, they played in Regional and National; ACBL bridge tournament all over the country. They amassed master points quickly and both attained Silver Life Master status before their health problems ended their bridge travels. They also played in local duplicate bridge games and was also certified as director for ACBL-sanctioned games in Ann Arbor.
After his health declined, he moved to The Villages at Oak Ridge, Washington, Indiana and was there for four years.
Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or a charity of your choice. Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home is privileged and honored to be entrusted with the care of Bruce and his family.
