RE Log Fall 2018

2 Ransom Everglades LOG )$// September 14, 2018 Dear Ransom Everglades Community, It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of Dan Leslie Bowden, an incompa- rable educator who influenced generations of students and devoted his life to Ransom Everglades School. For 63 years, Dan was the heart and soul of Ransom Everglades, and all of us have benefited from the work he did here. He served as a faculty member, department head, college counselor, administrator, resident poet, beloved and respected English teacher and, until his death, Advisor to the Head of School. For me, he was a best friend, mentor and daily inspiration. Dan often joked about his humble origins, growing up in a small town in Georgia, attend- ing a tiny liberal arts college and never pursuing a PhD, yet his intellect and knowledge were truly unrivaled. His prose was perfection. Dan was a man of books and a student of humanity. He helped connect all of us because we were all connected to him in some important way. Many of you faithfully returned to RE for his holiday reading of “A Christmas Memory,” attended his master class during Alumni Weekend, or listened attentively to his moving benedictions at RE commencements. Through the years you stayed in touch by calling or writing, and he treasured every letter and email he received. Dan remembered the names of every student he ever taught – as well as the names of their parents, grandparents and children. We will miss him. Please fi nd the full text of Dan’s obituary on page 87. You can also fi nd trib- utes to Dan, photos and videos at https://www.ransomeverglades.org/page/ dan-leslie-bowden-1929-2018 With eternal gratitude for all Dan gave us and the legacy he leaves behind, Stephanie G. Townsend Dan Leslie Bowden 1 9 2 9 - 2 0 1 8