Bob Bowden was born October 5, 1934 on Crow Mountain in Pope County, Arkansas to Ches and Cleva Bowden. Growing up he excelled in basketball, scoring 44 points in a high school game his senior year and pitching a no hitter in American Legion baseball. He graduated from Pottsville High School in 1952.After high school Bob attended Beebe Junior College (now ASU-Beebe) on a basketball scholarship. While there he met his future wife Robbie Watson of Beebe, Arkansas. They married in 1954. He then transferred to Arkansas State Teachers College (now University of Central Arkansas) graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1956. His coaching career began in 1956 at Jacksonville High School, followed by North Little Rock Ridgeroad Junior High and North Little Rock High School. His record as Head BasketballCoach was 256 wins and 80 losses. He won 3 state championships-1966, 1969, 1971 and State Runner Up in 1967, going 16-7 in tournament play. Bob also led his teams to 4 conference championships. He was an assistant in football and track serving under Richard Hendrickson, Ken Stephens, and Henry Hawk. He was named the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Basketball Coach of The Year in 1969 and served as a coach in the 1969 All Star Game at Barton Coliseum. While at North Little Rock High School he earned his Master of Science in Education degree from State College of Arkansas (now University of Central Arkansas). In 1972, Bob became the first Principal of Pulaski Oak Grove Junior/Senior High, then Fuller Junior High School.In 1976, Bob became Director of Athletics and Spirit Groups for the Pulaski County Special School District. At the time the largest school district in the state, with an overall enrollment of over 30,000 students. He supervised athletic programs in 8 high schools and 11 junior high schools. During his tenure as athletic director he implemented: area coordinators for each high school that would work with the corresponding junior high; a stable athletic budget for each high school with additional funding from the district when gate receipts were down; a salary schedule that allowed coaches flexibility in choosing the number of sports they were assigned to coach. He also facilitated the building of athletic facilities for 3 new high schools, 3 new junior highs, 7 new practice gyms,2 new baseball stadiums, and 8 all weather tracks. As well as expanded seating and made improvements at 4 senior high stadiums. The District won 27 state championships during the time he served as the Athletic Director.Bob was voted the Arkansas Athletic Director of The Year in 1980. He served on the Arkansas Activities Association Board of Directors for 9 years. He served 8 years as Director of the AAA
2State Baseball Tournament. He worked with former AAA Executive Director Lee Cassidy to develop andimplement the inaugural by-laws for the Arkansas High School Athletic Administrators Association. He chaired the Awards Committee of AHSAAA for 4 years. Bob retired in 1990, dedicating 34 years as a coach, secondary school principal, and athletic director. After retiring, Bob served on the Mayflower, Arkansas City Council and later as the Mayor. During his time as the Mayor he was instrumental in obtaining a new water supply for the city from Greers Ferry Lake. Bob was also active in the Mayflower United Methodist Church.He was married to Robbie Watson Bowden for 53 years. They have 2 sons, Kirk and Susan Bowden of Bryant, Arkansas and Bobby Bowden of Mayflower along with 3 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.