Chet was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania where his father was a barber and his mother, a homemaker.  Attending high school in Western Pennsylvania Chet was greatly influenced by his biology teacher/football coach who inspired him to become a teacher and coach.  Upon graduation from high school Chet joined the United States Navy where he was a corpsman for four years.  Following his stint in the armed services, Chet attended Geneva College where he majored in education and played football.

Upon graduation from college, Chet began his teaching career in Pennsylvania.  He decided to move West and landed in Filer, Idaho where he taught and coached.   From there he headed to Seaside, Oregon on another teaching/coaching assignment and ended up being the head coach of a state championship football team.  After a stint at Glide High School, he came to School District 6 in 1969 starting at  Scenic Junior High School where he taught science and coached 9^th grade football.  He moved to Crater in 1971 taking on the head football duties and teaching biology, his favorite subject to teach.

In 1979 Mr. Bowser received the greatest honor an Oregon teacher can receive when he was selected as the Oregon Teacher of The Year.  A highlight of this experience was going with 49 other state recipients of this honor to Washington D.C. where they were hosted and honored by President Carter.

Chet summed up his mission as a teacher and a coach in one statement.  “the old coach loves them all”.  Chet believed firmly that the field was an extension of the classroom and was always the “no-nonsense” teacher for both.  Those of us who were fortunate to know and work with Chet have wonderful stories to tell about him so ask us about them when you have a chance.

Chet retired from coaching in 1975 and from teaching in 1985.  In his retirement he enjoyed golf, telling stories and watching his beloved Comets play.  Chet passed away in 2011 and is remembered as one of the classic District 6 educators and friends.