Died July 15, 2008 in Livingston, AL.

Bowen was professor of history and chairman of the Department of History and Social Sciences at the University of West Alabama. Prior to joining the faculty of West Alabama in 1980, Bowen worked at the University of Alabama, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Tennessee. He received his bachelor’s degree, master’s (1970), and doctorate (1976) from the College of Arts and Sciences.