By Chris Mayhew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

OXFORD - George Bowers, founding dean of Miami University's School of Applied Science, died Friday at Matrix of Oxford, a nursing home. He was 85.

Bowers was the first dean of the School of Applied Science (now named the School of Engineering and Applied Science), working in the position from 1967 until he retired in 1983.

Errol Gundler, who was assistant dean under Bowers from 1970 to 1983, said his boss spoke daily with industry leaders in the engineering and medical fields. Those relationships helped build a better school, as the presidents of companies asked for his advice as he sought their input, gundler said.

"He loved to interact with people in the industry," Gundler said.

Bowers' people skills left an impression.

"When he talked to you, he was interested in what you had to say," Gundler said. "It wasn't just in passing - he truly cared."

Bowers was a professor at Kent State University from 1947 to 1951 and worked for private companies before he joined Miami in 1963.

Those private companies included Craig-Hallum Co. Inc. in Minneapolis and G.T. Schjeldahl Co. in Northfield, Minn., builders of the Echo series of space satellites.

Phillip Shriver, president emeritus of Miami, said Bowers was good at implementing programs. "He was a good team player, one who could work with administrators very well," Shriver said.

Shriver credited Bowers with helping establish Miami as one of the few universities that prepared engineers for the paper-making field.

Survivors include his wife, Carol Bowers; a daughter, Mary Beth Bunge of Ithaca, N.Y.; and one granddaughter, Avalon Bunge of Ithaca.

Private services have been held. A memorial service will be held later.

Burial of cremated remains will be in the Miami University section of Oxford Cemetery.

Memorials: Miami University School of Engineering and Applied Science, Advancement Services, Miami University, 926 Chestnut Lane, Oxford, OH 45046.

E-mail cmayhew@enquirer.com