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After a life dedicated to serving his family, Lewis David (LD) Bowerman died peacefully on Tuesday, October 18th, 2022, at his home in Draper Utah surrounded by his family. He was 87. A loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, LD courageously faced health challenges as he battled Liver Cancer for the past 18 months. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
LD was born on August 28th, 1935, to Chester and Gladys Bowerman in Delta Colorado. He was raised in a mining and farming community. He graduated from Hayden High School in 1953 where he lettered in Football, track, basketball and softball.
LD’s father taught him to have a great work ethic which served him well throughout his life. Life was difficult for the young Bowerman family and at the age of 12, LD and his older brother worked in the mines to help put food on the table for the family of 10. Many times, all they could afford to eat was Cream of Wheat for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
LD married Mary, the love of his life, on December 26th, 1960. According to him, “I would have been nothing without her, she smoothed out all my rough edges and made it possible for me to achieve the things I did. She has always been my better half.” They were married for 62 years and have 3 beautiful children Nancy, Shannon, and Brad. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple in 1967.
In 1953, LD joined Peter Kiewit Construction as a laborer. As the years passed, LD continued to be promoted through various positions. The company wanted to promote him into management, but that would be impossible without a college education. He was overjoyed when he learned that his employer would pay for his college education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Kiewit also paid him a full salary so that he could provide for his wife and children while attending college.
LD’s career spanned 38 years working for the Kiewit Companies. He found his home in the Underground District, where he worked on many significant projects including the Eisenhower Highway Tunnel, the Chicago Storage Tunnel, and subway systems in Boston, New York, Baltimore and Washington D.C. He also consulted on major underground projects around the world. When he retired, he was the President/District Manager for the Underground Construction Worldwide Division.
At the age of 58, he willingly gave up a successful career to serve a three-year mission as a Mission President for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and Mary lovingly served their missionaries and the people of the Washington Seattle Mission from 1993-1996.
Upon completing their mission, LD and Mary settled in the Salt Lake Valley and at the age of 61, not one to rest on his laurels, LD started a second career. He started an investment firm and bought a construction company, a drilling company, and became a successful commercial real-estate developer.
LD will be remembered for a life of building. Building a loving service-oriented family, building and lifting others in his community, and building upon his testimony of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was also an avid fan of BYU sports. LD always had a twinkle in his eye and smile on his face. He was a giant of a man in many ways, and according to his grandchildren gave the best bear hugs.
LD’s greatest desire was to be a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved when his grandchildren would come to him for counsel with their problems and concerns. LD and Mary considered their family to be their greatest blessing.
LD is survived by his wife, Mary, their three children, Nancy (Doug), Shannon (Mike), and Brad (Ale), his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Carol, Evelyn, Ginger, Easter and brother, JC. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his two brothers ID and CA.
The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Jonathan Whisenant and the wonderful nurses and staff at Utah Cancer Specialists.
A viewing will be held on Thursday evening, November 3rd, 2022 from 6-8 PM at the Hidden Valley Stake Center 1440 East Raddon, Sandy Utah.
Funeral services will be held Friday morning, November 4, 2022, at 11:00 AM at the Hidden Valley Stake Center (1440 East Raddon, Sandy Utah) with the family greeting guests from 9:30-10:30am.
The interment will be held the same day at Larkin Sunset Gardens beginning at 12:30 P.M.
The recorded service can be viewed by clicking on the "Watch Service" button above.
This is The Place Heritage Park would not be what it is today without the help of LD. For the past 20 years LD contributed his time, ideas, and funds to make many significant improvements at the Park. I will ever be thankful for his inspiration and friendship.
He was a very inspired man who kept me going during my mission. From two injuries and homesickness he was a stern yet loving soul. Caring about his missionaries. Surely missed but in a humble home now.
Sending you lots of Love. You will now have your Daddy closer than ever
I loved working with LD these many years at Daw. I am thankful for his faith, wisdom, and support. We send our prayers and sympathy to all his family. He will be greatly missed.
My sincere condolences to the Bowerman family. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to get to know LD for so many years as well as for the opportunity he’s given me and our company to work for him. He will be missed!
I served my mission with the Bowermans starting for me in June 1995. I met my husband Michae therel who was another missionary serving. I know we gave poor President Bowerman some headaches when we met but I also know he loved us and wanted us to be the best missionaries we could be. Sister Bowerman was indeed the sweetest hostess anywhere we were. I am thankful for their service as mission presidents and to know of their history of hard/impressive work and love of their family. I send my love to you at this difficult time and wish Mary great health and longevity of life and spirit. God be with you.
Shannon,
I remember how close you and your dad were when I first met you. You always spoke of him as a hero in your life that you looked up to and loved so much. This time of life is hard bc we are losing those who loved and nurtured us.
I’m grateful for the knowledge of Gods plan for us and hope that you feel comfort through the Holy Ghost. I’m sure your Dad is looking down at his posterity and rejoicing.
I’ll always remember LD as a bigger than life character. He was hard driving and direct, and still always had a smile in his eyes. I admired his business mind and vision. I’m grateful to have known him. Praying for peace for his loved ones.
Mike & Shannon, Doug & Nancy and Brad,
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear father. He was a wonderful man, I am thankful that I had the chance to meet him and know him for a couple of years. Thoughts and prayers for you and your families as you celebrate his life and mourn this temporary separation.
Steve & Jane Anne
As my mission president for 2 years, President Bowerman always quoted from Alma, how he wished he could preach with the tongue of angels. President, I hope you get your wish. Heaven gained another missionary.
I’m grateful I served on under President Bowerman and Sister Bowerman. Their guiding love and testimony firm in the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ helped to anchor my faith and trust in my Savior as I served in the Seattle mission. I wish I could be present to give my respects to an amazing man of God.
I am so grateful to have served as missionary in the Washington Seattle Mission under the leadership and care of President and Sister Bowerman. I learned many important lessons from each of them and will be forever grateful for their service and ongoing love that they have shared freely with me and my family upon their return. Thank you for believing in me and for providing me unique opportunities to serve and lead. President Bowerman your presence will be greatly missed, but your legacy will abound forever.
Our thoughts and prayers for Mary and all your family. We have much love and respect for LD. He was a giant of a man and yet so humble. What a wonderful life he lived. A great example to all who knew him. He was our wonderful bishop in Nebraska. I’m sure heaven is blessed by him. 🙏🏻
I’m sorry to hear of the passing of President Bowerman. I served a mission 1993-94 in Seattle, alongside the Bowermans. President and Sister Bowerman were wonderful. He was an awesome man indeed - kind and encouraging yet always firm in his decisions. I know he will be greatly missed. Much love to the Bowerman family.
I'm sorry to hear about his passing. President Bowerman was a great mission president.
Sorry for your loss. My prayers for you all.
LD was my mission president. I tried to find him and Mary a few times through the years but never was able to track them down. I was grateful to be able to watch the beautiful service and learn more about his earlier life. What a wonderful man!