Bowles, Walt, Jr. (Walter A.), 2009 - 2011
Scope and Contents
Walt Bowles was interviewed by Nancy Freeman on June 11, 2009 in Denver, Colorado.
Subseries contains correspondence, research and interview notes, interview transcripts, biography, release form, interview questions, bibliography, photographs, and audio files of the interview.
Dates
- 2009 - 2011
Biographical / Historical
Walter A. Bowles, Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 10, 1919. He and his family moved to Denver, Colorado when he was a young child. Bowles studied pharmacology at the University of Colorado Boulder, with a minor in chemistry. After college he joined the United States Navy in 1944. Between 1944 and 1956, Bowles served as a chemist in the Navy researching explosives and even participated in Operation Crossroads, the Bikini Island A-bomb testing. Upon returning to Colorado, he worked in research with the Rio Grande Railroad then taught pharmacology briefly at the University of Colorado. Bowles joined the DWRC in the 1950s where he worked as a research chemist in repellents and toxicants, primarily for rodents. Bowles retired in 1974 but worked as a re-employed annuitant until the early 1980s. In his retirement, he enjoys fossil collecting and bird watching. Bowles also volunteers as a compounding pharmacist for a Denver druggist. He married his wife Jessie in Longmont, Colorado in 1942 and together they raised one son. Walt Bowles passed away in August 2013.
Extent
From the Collection: 1.6 linear feet
From the Collection: 25.7 Gigabytes (397 digital files)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Abstract
Walt Bowles reminisces about his life and his career as a chemist in the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services, Denver Wildlife Research Center (DWRC). Bowles studied pharmacology and chemistry before working as a chemist for the U.S. Navy, Rio Grande Railroad, and finally at the DWRC. He reminisces about his work in repellent and toxicant research with DWRC, colleagues, research studies, and the friendships he developed with colleagues outside of DWRC.
Creator
- From the Series: Freeman, Nancy A. (Interviewer, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the National Wildlife Research Center Archives Repository