Don Bowden

After serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict, Don studied and received degrees from San Francisco State College, University of San Francisco, and Claremont Graduate Center. Before coming to the American International School of Zurich (AISZ), Don and his wife Joan taught in the California state system and at the American College for Greek Women in Athens, Greece.

Don and Joan were among the fewer than 10 faculty and staff hired by Dr. John Mattern for the first year of AISZ. Don taught history and Joan established the school’s library. As Don commented “our first impressions: controlled high energy and occasional chaos with everyone including future students, parents, and newly hired faculty working assembling desks and organizing individual classrooms.”

Don remembered the following about those early years: “Key to the structure was the very valuable financial and emotional support of American and Canadian business with headquarters in and around Zurich. The physical location of the mansion was spectacular and breathtaking. And the diversity and unique abilities of the faculty were outstanding. As the first years progressed, the administration and board allowed the support necessary to provide the student body with incredible experiences. Not only...freedom within the curriculum, but I was able to take field trips within Switzerland, and to Tunisia, Israel, Austria, Western and Eastern Germany, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Poland.”

After the end of their third year at AISZ, in 1966, wanderlust spurred the Bowdens to move to Kyoto, Japan, where they started the English language program at a school there. Later they moved back to Marin County and taught for over 28 years in the public school system, including in special education. Both regularly worked summers at archeological sites throughout North America, and spent time in Central and South America, and eastern Africa. Joan passed away in 2013 and Don lives in a senior community in Mill Valley, CA. He still sees AISZ alumni regularly, and travels around the area, enjoying the many cultural sites and museums in San Francisco and around the region.

• The 1966 yearbook was dedicated to Don. Among other comments, students noted that "We give our hearts to Mr. Bowden for all the love and devotion he has so freely given to us in the last 3 years. Being an excellent counselor for our wayward minds, his constant interest in us, his thoughtful advice, and his easygoing smile urge us on and help us to understand one another."
   
• "Not only was he an exceptional teacher of European history but he was an avid traveler and was instrumental in organizing school trips throughout Europe and even to Israel. His passion for teaching and travel is what the school stood for and he left an indelible mark on every student who attended AISZ in the first few years. He was a major reason for the school's ultimate success."
   
• "Don Bowden's contribution went far beyond his classroom time.  He got to know us, supported us, and built long term relationships with many of us. He has supported and attended alumni reunions and has continued to inspire us with his zest for learning."
   
• "Dr. Bowden was a bright light. Not only a light of knowledge but of the enthusiasm and passion with which he taught us. We could hardly wait to get to class! He was kind. He was funny. He was interested....in history and in his students. He wanted us to not only learn but appreciate a subject he lead with his heart. I felt empowered, never embarrassed or less than, confident and engaged. His commitment, investment in us, inspired me to do my very best."
   
• "Whenever I visit him here in northern California, about 3-4 times per year, he continues to shine with a positive spirit, always smiling, eyes bright and is endlessly happy to share memories from his extensive travels in the past.  The stories are captivating!"