Timothy “Tim” Wayne Bower was born February 1st, 1961 in Fairfield, IA. the son of H. Wayne and Audrey (Baity) Bower. He went home to the Lord at the age of 64 on April 7th, 2025 after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer that was diagnosed in December 2024. He was surrounded by the infinite love of his family as he left this world and entered the next part of his journey. Tim was known for many things throughout the communities in which he lived. He was a thoughtful professional leader, passionate advocate for education, avid woodworker, proud father and grandfather, and steadfastly in love with his wife of 38 years.
Those who knew Tim were aware of his pride in the long list of accomplishments that he achieved during his time here on earth, as he embodied the definition of ‘hard work’. Tim learned by the age of 10 how to show pride in his work by raising the 150 head of cattle while growing up on the family farm in Stockport (Fairfield), IA. He took this work ethic with him to Iowa State University, where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1984.
After college, Tim started his professional career at Mason & Hanger in Middletown (Burlington), IA where he played a key role in earning the company a Malcom Baldrige Quality Award. He taught classes at Southeast Community College. He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (1979), a member of American Society of Quality (1990), and a Certified Quality Engineer (1991). In 1995, he graduated from the University of Iowa with an Executive Master of Business Administration degree. He continued his professional career at many different companies, but most notably, over 20 years with HNI in Muscatine, IA and eventually summarizing his career as the President at Flint Cliffs Manufacturing in Burlington, IA.
Tim was known for his public service throughout the communities in which he lived. He was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Muscatine, IA where he held multiple leadership position and was trained with his wife as a Stephen Ministries leader. Also, he served as the Vice President of the Glasgow Cemetery Board. He used these opportunities to not only apply his mind, but most importantly to provide service, compassion, and love to the community where he lived.
While not formally an educator, he knew the importance of the community in providing a strong educational foundation for their youth. He knew that children are the future and felt it essential that he play a role in ensuring all kids’ success in life. This love for education and service led him to serve for 14 years on the Muscatine Community School District School Board where he was elected President and Vice President. His work with the school board guided him to be highly involved with education throughout the state. Specifically, he was a member of the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners for six years, appointed by Governor Branstad as the President of the inaugural Southeast Iowa STEM Advisory Board, and served on the 2020 Governor’s Economic State Advisory Board as the Director of the Education Sub-Committee. He continued this passion for education by serving on the Fairfield Community School District School Board for four years after moving back to Fairfield in 2018.
Although his professional accolades and community service were great, his love for his family and friends was greater. He married H. Karen Jane Randall on December 27th, 1986, in Burlington, IA. Tim and Karen raised three children. Later, he would have two grandchildren that he would love and spoil with many tractor rides. He provided for us countless trips to Iowa State University football and basketball games. He was in the stands at Jack Trice Stadium cheering on his Cyclones no matter the weather and staying until the end of countless losses and celebrations of wins where he would loudly sing Sweet Caroline and the ISU Fight Song. Tim and Karen served as the Co-Presidents of Muskie Band Boosters and traveled throughout the country following his children’s band with the famous Muskie Marching Band trailer. He sat for many nights at the kitchen table fighting about math homework and geeking out about science. He worked on numerous woodworking and furniture refurbishment projects in the garage, teaching his kids all that he knew. He and Karen’s marriage survived over 10 home renovations, which is a testament to their love for each other. Most recently, they joyfully renovated his childhood home. This last project brought him the most peace. Although his illness made it feel like he had been robbed the opportunity to enjoy more time at the farm, he knew that the love and memories he left behind was so much greater and enduring than death itself.
Tim will be remembered by so many people for his kind spirit, joy, and love. Tim lived with a smile on his face into his passing. He truly believed that death would bring him nothing but happiness. To have loved Tim on earth was the greatest honor and privilege that one could have been given in this lifetime.
Tim’s memory will continue living through his wife Karen Bower, daughter Brittany (Nathan) Oakley, son Aric Bower, grandchildren Caroline and Oliver, brother Ben (Judy) Bower, sister Melissa Olson, brothers- and sisters-in-law Robert (Jeanette) Randall, Barbara (Bob) Bailey, Judy Randall, Randy Kinney, Dave Propst, Brion and Lisa Oakley, over 50 extend family members, and many friends. He was greeted in heaven by his father and mother, H. Wayne and Audrey (Baity) Bower, daughter Megan Schultz, mother- and father-in-law, Page and Shirley Randall, and sisters-in-law, Deborah Kinney and Ann Propst.
The visitation for Tim will be held from 4:00-7:00pm, April 10th, 2025 at Lunning Funeral Chapel in Burlington, IA where the family will meet with friends. Funeral services for Tim will be held at 10:30am Friday, April 11th, 2025 at First United Methodist Church, 309 N Main St. in Mt. Pleasant, IA with Reverend Court Fisher officiating. Following the service a fellowship meal will be provided, prior to the burial at Glasgow Cemetery in Glasgow, IA.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his memory for the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant and Glasgow Cemetery. Go Cyclones!