Personal History of Gerard Bowles
There are those who believe they need to know a life history--more than a resume provides. I think this is reasonable, and decided I would publish it on the Net, for my Mother, family, old friends and associates to scrutinize (and correct if necessary), and provide easy access on the Web along with my resume, for new associates. Providing facts is better than someone re-inventing my life.I'm not going to go on forever about my personal life, trust me, the tabloids would not be interested. About my very personal life, it's sufficient to say I'm responsible, reserved, and dedicated to my family, and wife Ramona. We have a completely honest and very happy relationship, and dedicated to our marriage. I have never been, and never could be, unfaithful to her. We are proud of our children, who are hardworking, responsible, and trustworthy.
Ramona Gray and I met in 1987 and married soon afterwards. We were both single parents of boys, Chivas (mine, now 16) and Kenneth Crocker (hers, now 19). We love dearly, and are very proud of our boys, who are honest, hardworking, and exceptionally well behaved. We also care for my elderly Mother who lives with us. I have always provided for my family before my own needs.
Although I don't discuss these at work or socially, I don't need to hide my philosophical, political and religious practices, and provide general information at the end of this history. This paper is available to those other than business associates, including linked from a family history Web page so, I have included underlined footnote links that take the reader to supplemental information.
Chronological HistoryI was Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, August, 1944.
My parents were Beatrice Hinchey Bowles (now Bartley) and Roy E. Bowles (deceased). Both were professional photographers all their lives, working in Knoxville, Ohio during WWII, and my mother until her retirement, in Washington, D.C.
Because my mother was a single parent during my 3 to 14 ages (my father died when I was three), I spent at least part of every day with my father's parents, who were very influential in my life.
Growing up in Knoxville, I divided my time between watching the old German technological craftsman, exploring the woods around Knoxville and in the mountains, in my mother's darkroom, and in the studios of Thompson's Photography. I was a member of Washington Pike United Methodist Church, the Cub and Boy Scouts, the Knoxville Boy's Club, The Y.M.C.A. where later I taught lifesaving, and attended for three years and worked at the YMCA Camp Montvale in the mountains where I taught riflery and woods survival, a member of the Audubon Society, the University of Tennessee Zoology Club, and president of the Atlas Science Club. In other words, I was a "geek" and "woods freak." My mother, of course, kept every clipping and document from these activities (must be a mother thing?).
I moved to Washington, D.C. with my mother and new stepfather in 1958. We lived near the center of downtown Washington so, I had an active street life, discovered Italian girls and models, went crazy over the museums, and loved sneaking into the side doors of small embassies to talk to interesting people and feast on the spreads (those were peaceful times).
After a little over a year we moved to Maryland near Washington, where I worked for a couple of farmers, cared for a horse so I could ride, and became interested in motorscooters, motorcycles, then cars. I soon started working playing drums for rock and roll bars, dinner music clubs in Washington and Maryland, and studied with Bill Richenbach, Charlie Byrd and Stan Getz's drummer--with whom I assisted in an album. I played with the Skyliners, one of the last of the big, dinner club bands. I owned, managed, and was the Drummer for the Vanguards, using the name "Rod Cooper" (TV rock program host Milt Grant's idea, some old friends still call me "Rod") for several years, working in several cities, and the Vanguards were even twice the back-up band for the Beach Boys (OK, it wasn't fame, but it was a fun way to earn spending money).
I was not a good student when young, significantly missing school with years of chronic bronchitis, often in and out of the hospital. I started at McCampbell Elementary, then Belle Morris Elementary, Christenberry Junior High in Knoxville, Macfarland Junior High in Washington, Gwynn Park Junior High in Maryland, Oxon Hill High in Maryland, and graduated from Prince Georges County Adult Evening High about 1962(?). I was in the school band at three of these, and involved in many art projects and school photography.
My only scrape with the legal system was one traffic ticket.
My first, full-time job was a lab assistant, and later studio assistant, for District Photo in Washington, D.C. I would work Saturday's for free at the Glogou Studio of photography.
My college was as varied as my earlier education but, over the years I became a decent student. I started with two night courses at Southeastern University, then two courses at Montgomery College, then full-time for two years at the University of Baltimore, while working in Washington. At the Maryland Institute College of Art, I traded work for permission to attend courses without credit.
I attended the Instituto Allende in Mexico, to study with Diederich Kortlang and James Pinto. The Instituto has been chosen as a campus abroad by distinguished art colleges, including the Rhode Island School of Design, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
I returned to the Maryland Institute College of Art and concurrently attended Community College of Baltimore (now Baltimore City Community College). I graduated with a Certificate in Art from the Maryland Institute, and an Associate Degree from C.C.B two weeks apart. (See the Web page "References...")
During this education in Baltimore I worked at a photography shop Summers. When in school I played the drums at clubs on weekend nights, worked as a security guard on weekday nights for Crown Security Systems, worked as Sculptor Pierre DuFayet's assistant, and did free-lance art and photography work. (See the Web page "References...")
Whenever possible, I volunteered for activities in Washington and Baltimore, including community art projects, literature projects, civil rights, anti-drug campaigns, and Big Brothers for fatherless boys. I did not participate in the anti-war movement for personal reasons .
My only scrape with the justice system during these years was a battle with a landlord about the deposit.
My first, full-time teaching position was at Friendsville Academy in Tennessee, a Society of Friends ("Quaker") Christian school in Friendsville, Tennessee. I taught art, volunteered to be the librarian and recruiter, and helped with administrative work. (See the Web page "References...")
At the end of the year I left Friendsville to pursue my goal of earning a Master of Fine Arts Degree. I applied to, and was accepted at California Institute of the Arts with a partial scholarship. I received a session work scholarship at Penland School of Crafts, which was continued, and included teaching assistant through the Summer. After Penland, I could not afford to go to California, and was recommended by Penland Director Bill Brown for a full-time position teaching at Wilkes Community College in North Carolina. (See the Web page "References...")
The one-year temporary position at Wilkes included teaching, Art Department Coordinator, planning the art curriculum, and designing and supervising interior construction of the art studios. (See the Web page "References...")
I received a merit scholarship, and later an Assistantship, from the College of the Potomac, finishing my Bachelor Degree within a year. Using the Assistantship, I continued for an additional year, and taught two courses. I also taught at Marjorie Webster College (a private school for woman) in Washington, D.C. I concurrently worked for the University Research Corporation in communications. (See the Web page "References...")
While at Penland, I had earned a few upper-level credits from East Tennessee State University. I enrolled at East Tennessee, and earned their Master of Fine Arts Degree, which included advanced study at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. I continued study at the Smithsonian, while working on photographic projects there, and with a Institute for Advanced Fine Arts Consortium Fellowship. (See the Web page "References...")
I stayed in Washington for a few years, working in photography and graphic design. I met graphic designer Myra Anson, and we formed Anson-Bowles Associates in Virginia outside Washington.
I returned to Knoxville and started G.R. Bowles Associates. I married, unwisely, and we had a child. She was not ready for motherhood, and I raised my son almost single-handedly from the time of his birth. When he was two years old, his mother and I separated and I was granted custody. Single parenthood required a major change in my working schedule.
I preferred living in the Carolinas, and applied for and was favorably considered at two universities and Greenville Technical College. Before the others could respond, I accepted the position at Greenville Technical College. I liked Greenville's size and cleanliness, and Greenville Tech's emphasis on practical education, and at that time the only college I found willing to accept computer technology in graphic design. I created the art department as the Department Head and primary Instructor for 10 years, and then Instructor for 2 additional years. I was fired, in my analysis, due to the effects of a temporary thyroid condition and operation, and policy changes that seemed indifferent to student needs, industry demands, and the direction of other academic institutions. (See the Web page "References...")
That leads us to current times. After 12 years at over 70 hours per week, working holidays without vacation, I needed time to heal my damaged legs, and rejuvenate from the thyroid operation and chemical therapy.
I have been busy in association activities, mastering the 10 or so commonly-used Web design software, and in photomodification, Web design, and communications strategy consulting. I am also seeking a teaching or industry position in multimedia, Web or graphic communications.
Philosophy, Politics, ReligionWe are not in the habit of discussing our personal beliefs. However, at one place I worked they were invented, so revealing them here at least provides accuracy.
I'm a moderate Republican--a family tradition (my Grandmother's Grandfather helped found the Republican party in Rippon, Wisconsin). My wife Ramona is a conservative Democrat. (What do you get when you cross a moderate Republican and a conservative Democrat--a "republicrat" or a "demopublican"?)
We are old-style social concervatives in many ways, including a belief in strict and equal enforcement of the law, and strict parenthood (which is related).
I have always considered myself a Methodist, and Ramona was raised Baptist. We are now non-denominational, and non-institutional for our Christian beliefs--an influence from my Grandparents, and a joint decision.
We do not practice prejudices against any religion, belief, race, ethnic group, or physical attribute. We live and let live, and expect to be treated likewise.
More About RamonaRamona ("Mona") is a devoted mother and wife, respected by her family and the community, and all who meet and know her. She was born in Beaufort, SC to George Gray, Sgt. Maj., U.S.M.C., retired, and Joan Thomas Gray, retired Registered Nurse and graduate of Anderson College. She had her son Kenneth Alan Crocker when 20, left his father before the child was born, and raised him by herself until we met. A top-level student, she would have graduated at 16 but, SC law required attendance until 17. She wanted to major in civil engineering but, the only program in SC was at the Citadel. She was accepted at Georgia Tech but, could not afford to study out of state with a child. Before we met, Ramona had completed 3 1/2 years of college with a duel major in math and engineering technologies, and would have an Associate Degree but Greenville Technical College did not recognize many of the courses at Tri-County Technical College. At Tri-County, the college employed her as a math tutor. At GTC, she was the elected leader of the fight to save her program, Construction Engineering, which still thrives today. As a woman, she has suffered discrimination in education and in the engineering field. She has worked as a Turbo Generator Operator for Duke Power, as Assistant City Engineer for the City of Anderson, and after our marriage a draftsperson for AT&T, and is now with Waggoner at BMW. Although Ramona grew up near the Camp LeJeune Marine base in North Carolina, her family now lives in Anderson, where they have held part of the family farm for 7 generations. The farm was part of land rewarded to Revolutionary War heroin Mary Smith by the new federal government, of whom Mona is a direct descendant. Mona's favorite hobbies are literature and history.
Footnotes (linked from above text)1. My father was in military photography during WWII, after the war starting the Roy Dean Studios in Knoxville. He died at age 26. My mother's first job was at Jim Thompson Studios, worked for the military during the war, worked in the Roy Dean Studios, returned to Thompson's 3 years after my father's death, after marrying my stepfather moved to Washington, D.C. in 1958 and worked for Glogou Studio, joined the Defence Department, and retired as Supervisor of Photography for her division. My stepfather was Ervin M. Bartley (now deceased), an Audit Supervisor for the Defence Department.
2. My Grandmother was Gertrude Miller Bowles, who was a German and Polish descendant, born in Wisconsin, held a Bachelor Degree in business administration, and was a housewife most of her life. My Grandfather was Roy L. Bowles, who was a English and Cherokee descendant, born in North Carolina, and was a Communications Engineer for the Southern Railroad in Knoxville. My mother's parents were Delma Walker Hinchey and Ernest Hinchey, a Geologist near Knoxville. Delma's father had inherited the historic Strawberry Plains farm near Knoxville.
3. Chivas's mother could not handle motherhood and parental responsibility. I took care of him 90% of the time after his birth, and at the divorce was awarded full custody when he was two. He was a problem baby, born with CP but, has outgrown most of these problems, is making excellent grades in regular classes, and entering honors classes next year. No father could be more proud than I.
4. I did not participate in the anti-war movement, although I disagreed with the war, because I felt I couldn't do my part. I was classified a 4-F physical deficiency with a defective heart and knee. Near the end of the war, they were taking anyone breathing, and I was reclassified as a student and teacher. Every few months I would receive an invitation for O.C.S., which did not make sense so near the end of the war, and I knew I couldn't pass the physical (this was not an age of reason).