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Bruce Bowers (1927 - 2012)

We regret to announce the passing of Affirmation member Bruce Bowers, of Portland, who died in Alan Blodgett's home on March 31 of cancer. Bruce Bowers was born in Rutledge, Minnesota, on August 8, 1927. After finishing high school, he served in the military. In 1958, he and a friend decided to travel to Portland, Oregon, to look for better jobs.

In 1965, Bruce met Roger Brown, a lifelong resident of Portland, and they became friends. Bruce and Roger shared their resources, purchased a house, and made it their home. Roger died in the year 2000, sadly bringing to a close a companionship that spanned thirty-five years.

After thirty years dealing in dental supplies, Bruce retired, becoming a volunteer with several Portland organizations. In 1996 he signed up as a volunteer with the Portland Art Museum, where he served continuously til shortly before his passing.

Bruce met Alan Blodgett in July 2001. They became special friends and companions, sharing the past eleven years together. Through Alan, Bruce became involved with Affirmation Gay & Lesbian Mormons. He attended his first Affirmation conference, in Denver, in 2005, and his sixth in Cleveland-Kirtland, last year.

Not being of LDS background, Bruce was very moved by the life stories of several Affirmation members. As a result of his generous contributions to the organization, he was inducted into the Affirmation Handcart Society in 2010.

Bruce spent the last six weeks of his life in the home of Alan, where he was cared for with the aid of the hospice program. Close friends Lee Buhler and Len Porter assisted Alan as caregivers. All were with Bruce at the time of his passing.

At his request, there was no funeral. A celebration of his life will be held later on.