Philip Bowe

Philip Paul Bowe

Philip was born on 11/11/30 in Evanston, Illinois to Helen Kelly and Paul Bowe. At the age of four his ability to play bridge was noted in the newspapers. After graduating high school he joined the army in 1950 and served two years in Japan. He graduated from the University of Arizona in 1956, bought a racehorse named Foxy Lester with a friend, and was on the Oregon racing circuit when he learned that he was accepted into Harvard Law School. A pick six win at the track helped pay his first year's tuition and his journey began. Inspired by his favorite novel, John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, Philip chose the path of labor law. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1958 and went to work for the National Labor Relations Board in Washington, D.C. and later in San Francisco.
Philip began working for pioneer labor lawyer Roland Davis along with Robert C. Cowell and in 1961 the firm of Davis, Cowell, and Bowe was formed in San Francisco. Philip guided Northern California and Las Vegas labor unions through many tumultuous battles. In later years he specialized in class action pension cases against public retirement systems and was instrumental in recovering millions of dollars for public retirees and their beneficiaries.
Philip met the love of his life, Frances Alioto, when she knocked on his door on Mallorca and Chestnut in the Marina, and asked him to move his car. Love and laughter filled the house on 26th Avenue where they raised their family. Philip loved San Francisco, the foghorns, the restaurants, the characters, and the workers who are its heart and backbone. He loved the races at Golden Gate Fields, a good Tanqueray and tonic, and the seventh hole at the Marin
Country Club where he was a member since 1972 and was the proud winner of many a Big Splash Tournament. An avid mystery reader, expert crossword puzzler, and lemon drop aficionado. He was a man of few words and was known for his witty one liners.
Philip was preceded in death by his sister Joanne. He is survived by his wife Frances, his loving son Michael, and his daughter Kelly who adored him.
As many are struggling now, a donation to the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank (https://www.sfmfoodbank.org/) would be welcomed in his honor.