Book of Memories for Ronnie Lee Bowers

Condolence From Jacki Webb

Wed, 27 Jun 2018 11:02:47 EDT

Dear Family: Please accept our deepest condolences to your family for the loss of your loved one. May you be comforted by knowing that the Almighty God is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18) May the beautiful memories shared with your loved one along with knowing that we will be able to see our precious dead loved ones again in the near future grant you peace and comfort at this difficult time. (John 5:28,29) Sincerest Sympathies, The Webb Family

Condolence From Joe Sanders

Wed, 27 Jun 2018 09:05:08 EDT

I had the good fortune to have been friends with and work with Ronnie for the last 35 years. I believe Ronnie started working at the Department of Health and Environment (now Environment and Conservation) about a year or so before me. I believe that Ronnie was a lot like, Ferdinand de Lesseps, the Frenchman who started the Panama Cannel. De Lesseps had successfully built the Suez Canal, in the face of many people around the world saying that it could not be done, that it was impossible. Of Course, after de Lesseps successfully completed the Suez Canal he was hailed as a hero around the world. When de Lesseps turned his attention to building the Panama Cannel he did not have a plan. What he did have was the vision to foresee that the Panama Cannel should be built, that it had to be built, because it was needed. While De Lesseps did not finish the Panama Cannel, most people today would agree that without his vision, his tenacity and sheer force of will, the Panama Cannel would never have been built. Ronnie took on many very, very, difficult environmental restoration projects, projects that many people said could not be done, projects that others would not even consider attempting. Ronnie, like de Lesseps, had the vision, the tenacity and the sheer force of will to take on projects that should be built, that had to be built because they were needed. Ronnie just never doubted that he could find a way to accomplish any job. Ronnie didn’t mind, in fact enjoyed, getting on a track hoe to clean out a wastewater treatment plant, or floating in a boat across a huge open concreate tank of waste oil to spread a drying agent, or restoring a stream channel with a track hoe on a grade so steep that I could hardly walk it. Ronnie Bowers improved the environment and people’s lives across the State of Tennessee. Ask the people in Franklin. They will tell you, Ronnie was the man that was instrumental in removing the old golf course, restoring the creek that ran through it, thereby preserving and opening to the public a big portion of the Franklin Battlefield. Or, they might tell you. He is the man who cleaned up the Egyptian Lacquer facility that had released thousands of gallons of hazardous substances. Now, there is multi-million dollar development right in that same area. Or, they might say. He is the man that removed the old low-head dam, once more allowing the Harpeth River to flow free for all of its 125 miles. Ask people in Knoxville. They might tell you. Ronnie was the man who created Burlington Park. Daylighting 250 feet of stream that had been flowing through a 72-inch concrete culvert for decades, turning a blighted area of Knoxville into a beautiful bit of green space with a small mountain stream, complete with a waterfall. Or, they might say he is the guy that restored Paschal Carter Park after an upstream dam failure. Ask people in Memphis. They might tell you that Ronnie was the person who did all the work at T. O. Fuller Park removing the old golf course, restoring the wetlands, building trails and creating a fishing area. Or, they might tell you Ronnie saved Calvary Church from an eroding creek. Or, they might tell you that Ronnie disposed of hundreds, maybe thousands, of tons of industrial waste that had been abandoned on a lot at the corner of Peach and Plum streets. Allowing the City to take over the property, so that it could become the site of a new fire station and stables for the horses used by Memphis mounted police. Ask people in Oak Ridge, they might say Ronnie was the person who saw to it that a facility containing a large amount of radioactive waste was cleaned-up and the radioactive waste safely returned to the generators, at no cost to Tennessee tax payers. Ronnie carried out hundreds of projects like these across Tennessee, almost all at no cost to Tennessee tax payers, done with recovered Natural Resource damages or mitigation funds, projects that no one else would have attempted, projects that were only completed because of Ronnie’s vision, tenacity and sheer force of will. Ronnie will be greatly missed.

Condolence From Bryon Fortner

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 15:03:02 EDT

I'm so sorry to hear of Ronnie's passing. It seems like just yesterday when we had a great phone conversation and talked about getting together when he came back over to this side of the state. He became a great friend as we worked together through some environmental issues in Sevierville these past few years. He was a gifted person and true friend. He will be greatly missed! I'm so sorry for your loss!

Condolence From pastricia wise ransdell

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 10:19:27 EDT

I am so sorry of your Loss. I am sending my Prayers to the Family. I know You will miss Ronnie. He was such a fine Man, and Loved others. God Bless You All. God Loves You and I Love You.

Condolence From Mary Green

Mon, 25 Jun 2018 09:48:25 EDT

I'm so sorry to hear of Ronnie's passing. My prayers are with you all. Ronnie was such a sweet soul and I will forever be touched by the kindness he showed us here at TDEC. He will truly be missed. May God's grace and mercy be with you all!

Condolence From Lindsey Mansell

Sun, 24 Jun 2018 21:32:44 EDT

So sorry to hear about Cookie. I have so many fond memories of you guys from my childhood. I’ll be praying for you, Gayle.

Condolence From david sizemore

Sun, 24 Jun 2018 15:53:00 EDT

R.I.P. Ronnie, my friend. You always gave me good advice both personally and professionally. You will be missed by all. Thanks for being my friend. Dave Sizemore

Condolence From Al and Marci Voecks

Sun, 24 Jun 2018 13:30:53 EDT

Gayle, So sorry to hear about Ronnies death. We remember the times we saw you and talked at Center Hill Lake. May the Dear Lord be with you at this sad time. Marci

Condolence From Nancy Jones Dorris

Sat, 23 Jun 2018 20:24:50 EDT

So sorry to hear of Ronnie's death.There is no way to understand why these things happen. I have just talked with Audrey . I would come down and be with her but she said she is not able to go. Please know that you are in our prayers. Love to you. Nancy and Howard

Photo shared: Ronnie-TIMS FRIEND.jpg

Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:01:05 EDT