Burton Wallace Bowers

Burton Wallace Bowers died Friday, April 30, 2021, in hospice at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs. He was 64. Burt suffered an inoperable brain hemorrhage in March. After he had no response to stimuli for one month, his brothers and sisters, after consulting with his doctors, decided to move him to the hospice unit of Penrose Hospital where he received excellent care. Burt was born at Ransom Memorial Hospital September 15, 1956, along with his twin brother, Bill, to Bill and Jean Bowers. He attended Ottawa public schools and was a 1974 graduate of Ottawa High School. He earned a degree in business management from Ottawa University, a degree in earth science and geology from Emporia State University, and a law degree from Tulsa College of Law in Tulsa, OK. He also completed a year of graduate work in geology at Fort Hays State University. Burt had been an associate with the Bowers & Sheldon law firm in Ottawa, founded by his father, for several years. He served as a public defender for the Franklin County courts and those in several surrounding counties. Burt had a special place in his heart for abused children. He worked on a lot of parental custody battles and often advocated for the children. In December 1991, he was appointed Ottawa’s Municipal Court judge, holding that position until October 1993. In 2009, he married Henry Hager. They lived near Springfield, MO where they bred registered quarter horses. Since he practiced law in Ottawa at the same time, he lived in Ottawa during the week. He and Henry later moved to Santa Fe, NM. Shortly after Henry’s death in 2016, Burt moved to Green Mountain Falls, CO to help care for his mother. Rather than return to law, he became a ride operator at the North Pole amusement park in Cascade, CO where he was popular with kids, parents and fellow employees. He also traveled the world, touring with friends from Tulsa law school days to Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Switzerland, Italy, and France. Burt’s gentle, generous spirit not only touched people who knew him, but animals as well. He was a “dog whisperer” who always had a magnificent, well-behaved rescue canine by his side. Survivors include his brothers, Bill Bowers, Lawrence, and Chris Bowers, New Braunfels, TX, sisters Margaret Bowers Morris, Colorado Springs, CO, and Carolyn Bowers, Washington, DC and many nieces and nephews who adored their Uncle Burt. There will be a graveside service for Burt at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 17, at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa. A lunch reception will follow at the Bottle House, 204 S Walnut St, in Ottawa. All are invited. The family suggests memorial contributions to Prairie Paws Animal Shelter or Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, KS 66067.