Memorial

Frank P. Bowyer, Jr., DDS, FACD, FICD

Dr. Frank P. Bowyer, a past President of the ADA, died Tuesday morning, January 20, 2004 at the age of 86. Dr Bowyer was born in Tampa, Florida in 1917 and graduated with honors from the University of Tennesse in 1939. He completed advanced training in orthodontics in 1942 and served as an orthodontist for the rest of his career. A man of considerable physical stamina, broad knowledge and great capability, he was motivated throughout his illustrious career by his dedication to service.

Through his varied activities, Dr. Bowyer touched the lives of many. He is fondly remembered for his exceptional contributions to the dental profession, his university and community. Perhaps one of Dr. Bowyer's most noteworthy accomplishments in the dental field was his election as the president of the American Dental Association in 1977. He served as a University of Tennessee trustee for 21 years and was named the university's outstanding alumnus for the College of Dentistry. As trustee, he served as a member of the U.T. Memorial Research Hospital, chairman of the Air Space Insitute, a founding member of the Speech and Hearing Center and helped established the Bowyer Visting Lectureship for the students.

Dr. Bowyer was also president of serveral other professional organizations: Second District Dental Society; the Tennessee Dental Association; Southern Society of Orthodontists; American Association of Orthodontists and American College of Dentists.

Amoung the numerous honors and awards Dr. Bowyer recieved are the Dr. Jack E. Wells Memorial Dedication to Dentistry Award, the highest honor bestowed by the TDA; the William John Gies Award, the highest honor given by the American College of Dentists; the Thomas P. Hinman Medallion for Outstanding Leadership in Dental Progress; Sertoma International's Service to Mankind Award; the Albert H. Ketcham Award in recognition of valuable contributions to the science and art of orthodontics; Outstanding Tennessean in 1979; and in 1992, the Citation of the Appreciation for his service of Cleft Palate Children in Tennessee.

An active member of the Knoxville Opera Company, he established the Doris Bowyer Memorial Fund to support the Knoxvile Opera Studio at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Bowyer served in the military from 1942 to 1955 as a dental consultant to the Manhattan Project until the end of the World War II and as a major in the Air Force during the Korean War.

The Frank P. Bowyer Memorial is being established by Second District Dental Society to memorialize his oustanding achievements in denistry and exceptional contributions to society. The memorial is planning to have lectures, scholarships, and Distinguished Service Awards given in the name of Dr. Bowyer. Various levels of giving will be recognized by those contributing.

Frank' Favorite Poem:

Isn't is strange that princes and kings
and clowns that caper in sawdust rings
and common folk like you and me
are the builders of eternity.

To each is given a bag of tools
a shapeless mass and a book of rules
and each must fashion ere life has flown.
a stumbling block or a stepping stone.

Frank took his "book of rules" and "bag of tools" and fashioned thousands of "stepping stones" for those who follow.