South Carolina General Assembly
123rd Session, 2019-2020

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Bill 5347


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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPON THE PASSING OF BOBBY MERLE BOWERS OF LEXINGTON COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Bobby Merle Bowers at the age of seventy-nine on Saturday, February 29, 2020; and

Whereas, born in Prosperity on July 5, 1940, Bobby Bowers was the son of the late D. M. and Daisie Shealy Bowers. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Newberry College and completed graduate work in economics and statistics at the University of South Carolina; and

Whereas, for fifty-six years from 1958 until Mr. Bowers retired in 2015, the Palmetto State benefitted from his consistent dedication and remarkable expertise, first as chief of demographic statistics for the Office of Research and Statistics, then as its director, and finally as director of mapping and census for the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office; and

Whereas, throughout his career, he specialized in reapportionment and census issues for United States congressional districts, the South Carolina Senate and House of Representatives, municipalities, counties, school districts, and special-purpose districts. Mr. Bowers also served as a private consultant for numerous cities and counties in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Alabama; and

Whereas, between 1992 and 2005, Mr. Bowers was appointed federal technical advisor to various three-judge panels, was appointed in 2003 to serve as technical advisor to the Supreme Court of the State of New Hampshire in its redistricting case, and assisted in many federal redistricting cases; and

Whereas, with a profound commitment to his community, he served on the board of Lexington County School District One and the board of trustees of Lander University and as president of the South Carolina School Board Association and of Lexington Lions Club. He was also involved in Lexington Jaycees, Population Association of America, and Southern Regional Demographic Group; and

Whereas, a man of meaningful faith and a devoted member of Lexington United Methodist Church, Mr. Bowers served the congregation as a Sunday school teacher and a lay speaker and in many leadership roles for Emmaus of the Midlands Community; and

Whereas, predeceased by his first wife, Mary Jo Bowers, he is survived by his wife, Cherie Folk Bowers, and was blessed with six fine sons: Greg Bowers, David Bowers, Jim Bannister, Brian Bannister, Brett Bannister, and Mark Bannister. He enjoyed the blessing of seeing the continuation of his loving family heritage in thirteen treasured grandchildren; and

Whereas, Mr. Bowers was never too busy with work to enjoy spending time with his family and friends, including baseball games with his grandchildren, Newberry College football games, hunting, cooking, and time with his pets. He enjoyed regaling others with the experiences that had filled his life, especially culling the humor from those stories, always striving to share his joy of life; and

Whereas, Bobby Bowers never met a stranger and had unique abilities, intellect, and the courage to express what he truly believed, regardless of the circumstances as a friend and confidant to public officials and citizens of all stations in life; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are grateful for the life and legacy of Bobby Bowers and for the example of quality, caring, and character he set for all who knew him. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Bobby Merle Bowers of Lexington County and extend their deepest sympathy to his large and loving family and his many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Bobby Merle Bowers.

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This web page was last updated on March 4, 2020 at 12:27 PM