The Kansas State High School Activities Association is saddened to inform you of the death of retired Assistant Executive Director, Rick Bowden. Mr. Bowden’s family notified me of his death late Thursday evening. At the time of his death, Mr. Bowden had been working in his shop at the couple’s rural home near Waverly, Nebraska.

Memorial services are pending. When the family notifies us of the arrangements, the KSHSAA will post information on its’ website at www.kshsaa.org. We extend our thoughts and prayers to the Bowden family at this most difficult time. Kansas has lost a great native son who cared deeply for this state, it’s schools and our young people.


May 2011 KSHSAA Activities Journal retirement announcement for Rick Bowden.
http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/PDF/Bowden%20to%20retire%202013.pdf

So sorry to hear about Rick's passing. I considered him a friend both of mine, and of high school wrestling. He brought in a level of trust where there was none before. He was in our corner. We posted a little piece about him on the Metro Wrestling site. We are going to publish thoughts about Rick from coaches and referee's. There is a number on that page they can send those thoughts to in text. We will publish each and every one of them. He was a very good man.

http://kcmetroclassic.com/?p=1105

It is with sadness in my Heart, wrestling has lost a true friend. Rick was a Leader and rolled up sleeves from moving wrestling mats to dealing with heated discussion on the mat. He gave years as a Educator, Athletic Coach, Legislator, Friend to all, Father, GrandFather & Husband to his wife Sue Bowden. I recently wrote a letter for his Induction into the KSHSAA HOF. He leaves a great legacy of service to the Youth of Kansas. RMG

This is very sad. RIck was genuinely a good person. He worked very, very hard. Devoted his career to work hard for KS kids involved in scholastic activities. He was a very devoted family man and always very friendly and supportive. I am honored to be able to have known him.

I am deeply saddened about the passing of Rick. I had the pleasure of working with Rick for 8 years and he was very dedicated to this work. He put in a lot of effort into wrestling here in Kansas, and I am honored to have known him.

I will pray for him and his family and hope he is with our lord, and may he rest in peace.

I was also very sorry to hear of Rick's passing. In his position as a leading decision maker and mentor to youth, there will always be those for or against the path that he decided to travel. I can say without reservation that he was always professional, prompt and kind to me. I sure appreciated that.

I pray for strength and peace for his family at this time...

Yes, I believe Rick really let the coaches direct him and was more than willing to improve the sport of wrestling in Kansas. Sure, he had to say no every once and awhile, but I can guarantee you, many times he wanted to say yes.

One thing that always stood out to me was when he would see me, whether it was a wrestling setting or not, we would chat. And he ALWAYS made an effort to ask about my family, and what I remember about him is that he remembered their names. He would ask about Sarah and the kids, every time. As much as he had going on, and as many people as he knew.....this amazed me. He was a very personable and easy to like man.

Rick was the guy you could call with the smallest question and he could answer it, he would make the rounds of the Regionals in his hat and boots, and he was always a wrestling person.
I respected him and actually felt like we lost an ambassador for the sport of wrestling when he retired, I am even more saddened to hear of his passing. My family will pray for the Bowden family.
He was a kind, professional, and as Coach Harris said an easy to like man. He will be missed.
Coach Brown

Man, this is sad news. I, like many of the coaches here mentioned, felt Rick truly cared about the coaches and athletes. And you could always count on the rules meetings to go the whole time, he loved to talk didn't he.

I had many great talks with Rick over the years, and he took part in a couple of "coaching pranks" that were pulled on me during my career. He was quick to laugh. He remembered your name and where you were from pretty much after meeting you the first time.

I spent an entire Silver Lake vs. Burlington football playoff game talking to Rick about family, retirement, the changes in our sport and more. It was a great 2 hours of just talking on the sideline and watching football. I will never forget that evening, especially the love he shared for his family and spending time with them!!

I'll continue to say my prayers for peace for your family and friends as they deal with the loss of a great man in their lives. I hope to one day talk on the sideline in a much better place where I hope you are rejoicing with your family and friends now!!

God Bless!
Doug Vander Linden
Burlington

Although Rick and I had our share of differences he was a fan of our great sport, something we all have in common. It is sad to see an ambassador depart this earth so soon. Seems unfair that his retirement was so short. Thoughts and prayers to his family from the Cokeleys.

Carmen and I will both miss seeing Rick at track meets and in St. John for the H.S. Reunions. Rick started his wrestling experience officiating with with Eldon Z. and me back in the 70's. He was a dedicated man to his work!

Our prayers are for his family and those that were close to him.

Carmen and Dee Gard

Wrestling, I think more than any other sport, is full of great people. Maybe it's because we have to fight so hard for recognition, or that we are often considered to be beneath some of the other "major" sports. I believe it draws us closer. Rick was truly a mentor for many younger coaches. He was a wonderful ambassador for wrestling and wrestlers. He always took time to explain his reasoning behind a decision. I never saw him ignore a question like you so often see of those in a position of power. He would give you his home phone number and then ask you to please call him if you had any questions or ideas. I truly respected him.