Bowie Kent Kuhn ’48

Bowie grew up in Washington, D.C., tending to the Washington Senators scoreboard at Griffith Stadium for $1 a day. He was a great baseball fan all his life and never lost his boyish enthusiasm. That was the foundation of his charm — his love of the game of baseball. Bowie died March 15, 2007.

As Major League Baseball commissioner, he had conflicts with some players, their unions, and the owners; he always did what he thought best for the game, with integrity and courage. Bowie failed to muster enough votes (three-fourths of votes cast) for a third term as commissioner. Privately, he was whimsical, with the observation, "It's not too bad to lose with well over half the votes."

He was in Charter, was active in intramural athletics, and graduated with honors in economics. He attended the University of Virginia law school, where he was editor of the Law Review. In 1950 he went to work for the law firm founded by Wendell Willkie. Along the way Random House published his book, Hardball: The Education of a Baseball Commissioner.

A lifelong devout Roman Catholic, Bowie spoke widely about his beliefs and was involved in Catholic activities such as the Knights of Malta.

To Luisa, Bowie's wife of 50 years; his son, Stephen; his daughter, Alix; and stepsons Paul and George; the class offers condolences and, somehow, shares their loss. The class mourns a loyal friend.