Bertie Bowman

My condolences to the family and friends of Bernie Bowman.

Too the family so sorry for your lost. I read his book. It was a great read. My the LORD be with you today. Love HENRY TINDAL.

I first learned of Bertie Bowman on a morning news show in 2008 when he was being interviewed about his new book "Step by Step" in which mentioned my grandfather, Sen. Burnet Rhett Maybank, who gave Bertie his first job sweeping the steps of the Capitol building.

I located Bertie's address and sent him a letter telling him I'd like to meet him. He responded and invited my family, which included my husband and 2 children, then both in high school, to DC for a personal tour of the Capitol! We had a wonderful time with Bertie as he took us everywhere and answered all our questions. He was such a welcoming host!!

Shortly after that, we hosted a gathering for Bertie and Elaine at our home in Charleston so that others in the Maybank family could also meet Bertie. I remember he gave a heartfelt speech about my grandfather and my mother (who is 2 months older than Bertie and still living) was so touched.

In 2011, Bertie invited my husband and me to an unveiling ceremony in Columbia, SC, for the South Carolina African American History Calendar which highlighted Bertie and 11 others. Of course, we were there to see Bertie receive this well-deserved honor and to catch with each other.

Bertie and I kept in touch over the years through letters and mailings, and he sent me an official announcement when the Bertie Bowman Building was dedicated in 2019.

I sent him a birthday card every year, and we exchanged Christmas cards also.

He was a dear man, and I had hoped he would come down to Charleston again. My family and I will miss him. My mother was saddened to hear about his death. She pulled out "Step by Step" to re-read it. My family and I will always remember him so fondly! He was a treasure. His legacy will certainly live on.

I will be watching the funeral today.

Mr. Bowman was our neighbor leader. I lived on Hildreth Street for 49 years. I attended monthly meetings (Burns Street Associations) at his house for years.His wife and Mr. Bowman kept us in the neighborhood informed on what was going. I love attending the meetings.
Mr. Bowman loved playing cards with his Bernie Girls.
What wonderful person to know and loved. I will truly miss him.

I never met Mr. Bowman but read about him. As a member of the US Senate Federal Credit Union, I often saw articles about him. I thank God for his service to many.

To the family, may God give you that peace that only He can give at this time.
Lucy Hall

"Work hard. Be true to yourself. Take responsibility.

Have a positive outlook. Expect the best from people."
-Herbert "Bertie" Bowman-

Blessings to all the family, friends and loved ones. Such a wonderful person. Such a wonderfully beautiful life well- lived.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing room was Bertie's place; for many of us, it will always be that. Bertie kept it in shape for receiving company much as a famous hostess might prepare for a cocktail party. He also tutored all of us in proper hearing decorum. He was like your favorite uncle, combining life lessons with such friendship, that no staff member could really object to being chastised for talking or walking around during a hearing.

But the other side of Bertie was where he really made his mark. In the earlier years, he would meet quietly with Black workers in the Senate. I did not overhear his conversations, but in all likelihood he was counseling them on financial concerns -- and perhaps lending them money from time to time. For these were the years in which Black people did not have ready access to the U.S. Senate Employees Federal Credit Union (SEFCU). In due course, Bertie was elected to the SEFCU board, just in time to oppose and defeat a fee that the credit union had proposed for people whose accounts had too little money -- i.e., disproportionately for the Black workers who most needed SEFCU's services. Bertie eventually chaired that governing board, and was such a successful chair that the new SEFCU administration building was named after him.

Make no mistake, this was not just a success for credit unions; Bertie was a civil rights leader! Most of us don't think of credit unions as a civil rights concern, and maybe we cannot comprehend how civil rights still had to be won even at the end of the 20th century. But Bertie understood that civil rights go far beyond the right to vote, or to be free from racial profiling by the police, the courts, the banks, or the real estate companies. Bertie understood that the goal is the FULL participation of underrepresented communities in ALL aspects the American dream. And in the area where he could have influence, he succeeded beyond what the rest of us ever thought he could achieve. His life was a blessing for us all, and may his memory be a blessing as well.

Edward Levine
SFRC staff, 1997-2011

May the God of all comfort give peace to family and friends during this time of loss and beyond.

May God Bless the Bowman Family with Peace and Comfort during this difficult time.

Condolences to the family in your loss of Mr. Bowman. May the God of tender mercy and all comfort, comfort you during this time.

Bertie was a giant of a man who touched the hearts of an untold number of people. I first met Bertie as a young congressional staffer and decades later, had the honor of serving with him on the board of the United States Senate Federal Credit Union. Bertie´s positive outlook on life was an inspiration to all that encountered him. I count myself as extremely fortunate to have known Bertie and will forever strive to emulate his shining example.

I am so sorry about the loss of Mr. Bertie. The Bowman family has my deepest condolences and I pray that you will be surrounded continuously with love and support. As you go through this difficult time, may Almighty God give you "everlasting comfort" (2 Thess. 2:16).