| BERWYN, PA - With heavy hearts, the members of the Berwyn Fire Company regret to announce the passing of Life Member James "Jim" Bowman.
Jim joined the Company at the age of 16 as a junior firefighter in 1956 and later graduated from Conestoga High School in 1958. His experience surviving polio in the iron lung just a year earlier spurred his desire to give back to others. Jim was a key member of the Ambulance crew that was only recently established in 1951.
Jim worked with the Devereux Foundation as a teenager and, soon after graduating from high school, became the Director of the Audio Visual Department, a position he held for almost 25 years. He also spent time as Chief Dispatcher with the Radnor Fire Company as part of the Upper Main Line Fire Board. This is how emergencies were dispatched in the pre-9-1-1 era throughout the Tredyffrin-Easttown area.
In addition to his beloved surviving wife Alice and four daughters, he is remembered by his eight grandchildren; Christopher, Shawn, Kimberly, Stephen, Mary, Ethan, William, and Elizabeth; and by his seven great-grandchildren, Finnegan, Elijah, Oliver, Onyx, Jameson, Lillian, and Evelyn.
Jim will be remembered for his dedicated and faithful service at the Berwyn Fire Company and to the Tredyffrin-Easttown community.
Please consider making a donation in memory of Jim Bowman to:
https://www.ChesterCountyFoodBank.org
https://www.BerwynFireCo.org
https://www.RadnorFire.com
Obituary
James “Jim”, “Jimmy” Bowman was called home to the Lord on May 16, 2026. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 67 years, Alice C. (Riggs) Bowman.
Born in Berwyn, PA on September 9, 1939 to Rudolph Bowman Jr. and Lydia (Hayworth) Bowman, the fourth of eight children. He was preceded in death by his brothers Rudolph III (Cheryn), and John (Vivian) and sisters Frances (Bill Gimbel) and Jeanne (Charles Leonard). He is survived by his brother Thomas (widower of Julie) and sisters Ruth (Darrell Davis) and Eleanor (Phillip DiMarino).
Jim lived a life of service, devotion, and quiet generosity. He began giving back to others at just sixteen years old, joining the Berwyn Fire Department in gratitude for the care his own family had received while he was in the Iron Lung from Polio a year earlier. That early desire to serve stayed with him throughout his life. He worked as a firefighter and ambulance volunteer for more than 30 years, always willing to step forward when others were in need. He began working for The Devereux Foundation as a teenager and, soon after graduating from Conestoga High School in 1958, became the Director of the Audio Visual Department, a position he held for almost 25 years.
Above all else, Jim treasured his family and his faith. Raised in the Methodist Church, he attended Berwyn United Methodist Church with his mother and siblings. It was through church life that he met Alice at Sunday school. They were married on June 6, 1959. After living in Malvern for a little while, they settled in Berwyn, where they raised their four daughters; Janet Vann (Robert), Carol Purtle (David), Sandra Barringer (widow of Stephen), and Donna Strohmetz (Thomas). Jim continued to serve faithfully as a member of the church board, treasurer, usher, and a willing volunteer wherever help was needed.
In 1982, Jim, Alice, and Donna briefly moved to California so he could pursue a career in film production. Before that dream could fully unfold, a return trip to Pennsylvania led to a new opportunity as chief dispatcher for the Radnor Fire Department. For several years, the family lived in the back of the fire station. Later, the family moved to Paoli, where Jim worked at Presbyterian Children’s Village Services, transporting children to visit their families and teens to their places of work. He was known for his kindness and easy connection with others, continuing his lifelong pattern of caring service.
In 1989, Jim and Alice moved to the Villas, New Jersey, later returning to Pennsylvania and officially retiring in 2003. They became members of Malvern United Methodist Church and, when the church closed, became members of Spring City United Methodist Church. Even in retirement, Jim continued to serve others, volunteering alongside his Uncle Elmer Duckinfield at the Chester County Food Bank.
In 2013, Jim and Alice moved to Ronks in Lancaster County, where they lived for twelve years. They were members of St. John’s United Methodist Church, where, again, they selflessly volunteered their time at church and with Meals on Wheels before relocating to Exton in 2025. No matter where Jim and Alice lived, they always found a church community and volunteered their time.
Jim found great joy in cheering on the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles. A devoted baseball fan, Jim watched all 162 Phillies games each season, most often from the comfort of his favorite recliner. During the final year of his life, he enjoyed the simple peace of being at home with Alice, often sitting quietly together. He lived a life marked by steadfast love, faithful service, deep loyalty, and gratitude for the people and pastimes he held dear. Hopefully the Lord greeted him in heaven saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”!
In addition to his beloved wife and four daughters, Jim “Grandad” is remembered by his eight grandchildren; Christopher, Shawn, Kimberly, Stephen, Mary, Ethan, William, and Elizabeth; and by his seven great-grandchildren, Finnegan, Elijah, Oliver, Onyx, Jameson, Lillian, and Evelyn.
In accordance with the family’s wishes, no public services will be held. |
