Malcolm Bowman, a familiar face in and around Keswick — his home for more than 45 years — has died.
Known as Mac for the majority of his life — after a childhood friend had struggled to say Malcolm — he loved Keswick, which he said was a beautiful place to raise his family, with the friendliest of people and good neighbours.
He died in Kendal on 25th November.
He, his wife Joan and their three daughters, Helen, Louise and Sue, moved to Briar Rigg in Keswick in 1974 after he became the area manager of the town’s new branch of the Skipton Building Society.
Retirement did not suit Mac and he then went to work as the handyman/porter at Keswick Cottage Hospital, which he thoroughly enjoyed until he and Joan, who was one of the hospital’s receptionists, both retired in 2000.
Malcolm Edward Bowman was born in Kendal Hospital on 18th March, 1936, to Jean and John, and was brought up in Windermere along with his brother Ian.
He was known for his sporting ability from an early age, particularly rugby, cricket and tennis. His love of sports began when he started at St Mary’s Boys’ School and continued at Windermere Grammar.
He was voted the best sportsman by Windermere clubs in each decade from 1950-1970.
Although he wanted to be a teacher, Mac started work at Martin’s Bank in Ambleside at the age of 17, before being conscripted to the Royal Air Force a year later. On completion of his service he returned to work at the bank.
When working at the Kendal branch in the early 60s he met Joan, who became his beloved wife of 56 years. Married life for the couple began in Windermere where they started their family — “the girls” as they were affectionately called by Mac and Joan.
The couple remained at their family home in Briar Rigg for 44 years, until they moved to Greta Gardens apartments in the centre of Keswick last year.
A great outdoors enthusiast, Mac was introduced to fell walking at a young age. He shared his love and great knowledge of the Lake District fells with Joan, his daughters, their husbands, his grandchildren and many friends.
He loved the sport of rugby and was a well respected coach at the Keswick club, where he was also secretary for 14 years.
Mac, who considered himself to be “the luckiest man in the world”, leaves behind Joan, Helen, Louise and Sue, sons-in-law Peter, Martin and Simon, grandchildren James, Ben, James, Daniel, Issie, Maisie and Ellie, brother Ian, and his great friends.
