Vale Dr Bernard Bowen

Respected science leader and former Adjunct Professor of Environmental Science at Murdoch University Dr Bernard Bowen passed away after a short illness on 19 March.

In his Adjunct role, Dr Bowen worked with academics and students at Murdoch from 2002 until 2011. He was also Chair of the Industry Advisory Committee of the School of Environmental Science from 2006 to 2009 and was a strong advocate and supporter of the multi-disciplinary marine science teaching and research program at Murdoch.

Among his many achievements, Dr Bowen led the Department of Fisheries for 24 years and was the Chair of the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for six years.

Dr Bowen established the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (of which Murdoch remains a partner) in 2005 and was its founding chair. He also served as the founding chair of ICRAR (International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research), helping to bring part of the Square Kilometre Array to WA.

His colleagues in the Environmental and Conservation Sciences discipline at Murdoch remember his wisdom, patience and willingness to share his knowledge and experience as well as his marvellous negotiating skills which  helped him to establish major cooperative partnerships for science in WA. Bernard was also a strong supporter of Murdoch students through, for example, mentorship and the EPA Prize in Conservation Biology. His many achievements and his warm and supportive character mean that we will remember him with respect, admiration and affection.

Dr Bowen is survived by his wife Esme and four daughters including Dr Barbara Bowen, who is a plant biologist in the College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education. We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to Dr Bowen and her family at this sad time.

A funeral service will be held at Norfolk Chapel, Karrakatta Cemetery on Thursday 28 March 2019 at 10.30am.

Professor Mike Calver

Interim Head of Discipline Environmental and Conservation Sciences