Bobby Bowden oral history interview, October 2, 2017

Item — othertype: Oral History

Identifier: BowdenB_L2017-35

Staff Only

Bobby Bowden oral history interview

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Scope and Contents

Interviewed by Traci Drummond. In this interview, Bowden begins by discussing his youth in Alabama. He discusses working and going to college, and then joining the Marine Corps. After the Marine Corps, Bowden began working at Fort Rucker. During the interview, Bowden reads two letters from Ted Madden (an influential labor representative). He also discusses being entered into the 103rd Congressional Record (as a union representative) when he retired. He concludes the interview with a discussion of his proudest achievements and his hardest battles during his time in the union.

Dates

Creation: October 2, 2017

Creator

Bowden, Bobby, 1934- (Interviewee, Person)

Restrictions on Access

Oral history available for research.

Biographical Note

Bobby Bowden was born in Coffee County, Ala. in 1934. He had three brothers and one sister. Their family farmed, ran a saw mill, and ran a sale pin. His father became the county commissioner and remained in that position for 20 years. After high school in 1952, Bowden moved to Detroit, but quickly moved back to Alabama. He then went to Troy State College for a short time. He then joined the Marine Corps for two years. After the Marine Corps, Bowden worked at Fort Rucker. His first job there was as a service man for helicopters. He joined the union at Fort Rucker where he worked as a grievance committee member and business representative for the union. Bowden retired in 1994.