Jerry Bower

Jerry Bower, 87, of Richland Center, died on Friday, January 9, 2026, at SSM Health Hospital in Madison surrounded by loved ones. He was born on March 27, 1938, in Chicago, IL, the son of George Martin and Alma Martha (Burmester) Bower. Jerry was a lifelong learner. He graduated from Merrill High School in 1956, received his bachelor's degree from University of Stevens Point and his Master's and PhD from Michigan State University in History. Jerry found a career for which he had both talent and passion: teaching. He taught for 3 years at Port Huron Junior College before becoming UW Richland's first history professor. Jerry taught at UW Richland when it opened in 1967 until his retirement in 2008. In 1984-85, he served as the acting dean of the UW-Richland Campus and when offered to continue in the position permanently, turned it down because he was happiest in front of a history class. In 1992, he received an Underkoefler Excellence in Teaching Award from the UW System.
Jerry was an active and influential community leader outside of his work at the campus. He was a member of the Richland Area Community Food Pantry since 1999, serving as president for many years. Jerry was also the president of the Richland County Historical Society for over 30 years. A devout Christian, he was a Lay Leader at Trinity United Methodist Church.
Jerry was united in marriage to Donna Donner on June 13, 1959 and the couple celebrated sixty-six anniversaries together. He was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. When his four sons were young, he and Donna served for many years as 4-H leaders with the Richland Busy Beavers and enjoyed taking camping trips in an old school bus he retrofitted for the purpose. As grandchildren came along, the family cabin became the site of many happy memories, where Jerry frequently pursued his great, lifelong passions for reading and fishing. He tended an extensive garden and kept busy with woodworking and painting projects well into retirement.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Donna; four sons and one daughter: Paul Bower of Milton, Craig (Marilyn) Bower of Cottage Grove, Eric (Jill) Bower of Barneveld, Glenn (Julie Marshaus) Bower of Barneveld, Natalia (Kenneth) Clanton of Utah; eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; brother: Leonard (Marcia) Bower of Arizona; many other relatives and family.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents George and Alma.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 1:00 PM at the Richland Center United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the Richland Center Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at the Richland Center United Methodist Church from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. The family suggests memorials be directed to the Richland Center United Methodist Church, the Richland County Historical Society, Richland Area Food Pantry or the Ocooch Mountain Humane Society. The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements.