Most Rev. Dr. Robert M. Bowman Biographical Information
Archbishop Robert M. Bowman is President of the Institute for Space and Security
Studies, Executive Director of Christian Support Ministries, and Pastor Emeritus of John
XXIII United Catholic Church. The recipient of the Eisenhower Medal, the George F. Kennan
Peace Prize, the President's Medal of Veterans for Peace, the Republic Aviation Airpower
Award, The Society of American Military Engineers' Gold Medal (twice), the Air Medal with
five oak leaf clusters, and numerous other awards, he is one of the country's foremost
authorities on space, the environment, and national security.
Until July, 1982, he was a Vice President of Space Communications Company. Before
that, Dr. Bowman was Manager, Advanced Space Programs at General Dynamics, responsible for
the communications spacecraft product line. Culminating a 22-year Air Force career in
1978, Col. Bowman was Director of Advanced Space Programs Development for the Air Force
Space Division. In that capacity, he controlled about half a billion dollars worth of
space programs, including the "Star Wars" programs, the existence of which was
(at that time) secret. Dr. Bowman taught at five colleges and universities, serving as
Associate Professor, Department Head, and Assistant Dean. From 1971 to 1974, Dr. Bowman
was responsible for Air Force and NASA contracts in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and
Southern Asia. In 1969 and 1970, Col. Bowman flew 101 combat missions in Vietnam. He is
active in national and international professional societies and chaired eight major
conferences. His PhD is in Aeronautics and Nuclear Engineering, from Caltech. Dr. Bowman
has lectured at the National War College, the United Nations, Congressional Caucuses, the
Academies of Science of six nations, and the House of Lords. He has appeared on
McNeil-Lehrer, ABC News, the Larry King Show, Donohue, and Firing Line. In 1990, he
ran for President of the United States, and beat Pat Buchanan in Iowa, Illinois, and
California before withdrawing.
Archbishop Bowman has been chair of the Liturgical Commission, Vestry member, canvas
captain, preacher, Eucharistic Minister, cantor, choir director, lay reader, deacon, and
priest. He was ordained a bishop in April, 1996. He has been preaching since 1967.
In 1969 he composed "Mass in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr." When he
resigned from industry in 1982 to found ISSS and SHALOM, a Global Interfaith Peace and
Justice Network, five of the Bowmans' seven children were in college. One is now a
theologian, a second an ordained minister, a third a priest in the United Catholic Church,
and a fourth planning on studying for the ministry. In his wife's chancel drama ministry,
Dr. Bowman has portrayed Peter, John the Baptist, and Caiaphus, among others. In 1983, he
was appointed by Bishop John Walker to the Episcopal Peace Commission. In 1984, Dr. Bowman
was Advisor to a US delegation of church leaders at an international conference hosted by
the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow. He has preached at the National Cathedral and at
churches of many faiths, including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, and Orthodox
Christian Churches, Jewish synagogues, and a Muslim mosque. He has been keynote speaker
for religious and clergy conferences nationwide and has spoken at theological seminaries
and at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. He has appeared on numerous Christian radio and
TV talk shows, including the 700 Club. He was the Primate and Presiding
Archbishop of the United Catholic Church for many years, retiring in June 2006.
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