Lebanon has lost an elder statesman and a true gentleman. Former city Councilman Robert K. Bowman Sr. died Tuesday night at age 76 in Lebanon's Good Samaritan Hospital from complications of a heart attack he suffered over the weekend. He was the husband of Marion Black Bowman, with whom he celebrated 54 years of marriage in March. Bowman dedicated himself to serving the Lebanon community, where he lived his entire life. Those who knew him well described Bowman as a warm-hearted man who left behind a legacy of helping others. "I was really saddened to hear the news," said Betty Eiceman, who was mayor when Bowman first began serving on city council in 1994. "I worked with him so long and have known him for so long. He was such a gentleman and community leader. He worked in so many organizations and he was very compassionate to other people. He was a wonderful Christian who lived his faith." Others, including Mayor Bob Anspach, expressed similar sentiments. Anspach served four years on council and his first two years as mayor while Bowman was on council. But they knew each other long before that. "He was my guidance counselor in high school, so our association goes back significantly further than our six years in local government" Anspach said. "He told me (in school) that if I didn't straighten out, I wouldn't be worth anything in this world. He pushed very hard on education and that if you weren't willing to put out the effort, the world would pass you by. When you look back at his life, you see he was active in church, he was active as an educator, he was active in local government and in local politics. But above all, he was active as a devoted father and husband." Born in Lebanon on Aug. 17, 1928, he was a son of the late Ira G. and Laura Foltz Bowman. He graduated in 1946 from Lebanon High School, where he was an outstanding athlete and president of his class. After receiving a degree in 1950 from Lebanon Valley College, where he also excelled as an athlete, Bowman worked a short time as an announcer at radio station WLBR before returning to LHS as a social-studies teacher. During his 39-year career with the school district, Bowman served in many roles, including football coach and guidance counselor. He also wrote a column called "Cedar Sidelights" that appeared weekly in the Lebanon Daily News, and produced a radio program called "Report Card" that was broadcast weekly on WLBR. When he retired in 1989, he was the director of pupil, personnel and staff services for the Lebanon School District, a position that today is the equivalent of assistant superintendent. Former Lebanon Superintendent Keith Lebo knew Bowman when they both attended Lebanon High and later when they were colleagues in the district. Although a taskmaster when he needed to be, Lebo said, underneath Bowman's stern veneer was a man with a good sense of humor and total devotion to his students. "Having worked with Bob for many years in the Lebanon School District, I know that he was an exemplary school administrator, conscientious, well-organized and always on task," Lebo said. "His performance was marked by sincere dedication, strict attention to detail and tireless concern for the welfare of students. Bob was very proud of the Lebanon School District, (and) he was always quick to share success stories of our graduates." Bowman remained involved with the district even after retirement, putting his rich baritone voice to good use for many years as an announcer at the Cedars' home football games. He served until his death as a member of the Cedar Foundation's board of directors. In 1994, Bowman's attention turned to local government when he was elected to a two-year term on city council. That was Lebanon's first year under the Home Rule Charter, and Bowman played a key role in helping the city make the transition to a strong-mayor form of government, Eiceman said. He was twice re-elected to four-year terms, and during those years was chosen council president. While serving on council, the even-tempered Bowman was known as a firm but fair leader who helped guide the city through such issues as a controversial change to the structure of its fire department. Among the hallmarks of his tenure on council were the increasing of the city's police contingent from 37 to 47 officers; installation of gates at railroad crossings; voting to raise taxes only twice; and the passage of one of the nation's first laws banning the use of a handheld cell phone while driving. Throughout his life, even while away from school, Bowman devoted his time to youth. He became Lebanon's first director of recreation in 1961, working part-time and helping to establish a summer playground program. He served on the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA program committee, was a PIAA basketball official and was active in the city's Biddy basketball program as a coach and organizer. He was also involved in youth-oriented social-service organizations and was a charter member of both the Lebanon County Children and Youth Services advisory board and the Lebanon County Drug and Alcohol Abuse advisory board. Bowman was also a deeply spiritual man, a member of Messiah Lutheran Church and one of its lay leaders. Among the capacities in which he served the congregation were assisting minister, Sunday school teacher, member and president of congregation council and delegate to the convention of the Lower Susquehanna Synod. In addition to his wife, Bowman is survived by a son, Robert K. Jr., and wife Debra of Lebanon; a daughter, Wendy, and husband Dennis Brossman of Lebanon; brother Donald S. Bowman of Lancaster; sister Eleanor J. Carpenter of Cleona; five grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. Funeral Monday at Messiah Lutheran Church. Interment in Grand View Memorial Park. [Lebanon Daily News]