The crowd included former Head of School James B. Young (1978-85) and former board chairs Blanche August, Judy Weiser (on behalf of the late Sherwood "Woody" Weiser), Hal Kendall '54, Robert Stone, Dick Lampen, Ed Soto, Ghislain Gouraige and Miller. 

Mr. Bowden greeted nearly all of the attendees personally as they arrived to the Anderson Gymnasium. Many posed for photos.

Miller opened the evening's program with remarks – and accompanying slides – laced with humor and gentle pokes at Mr. Bowden, but he grew more serious as the evening progressed. Andrew Ansin '81, Vicki Carbonell Williamson '88 and Jon Maksik '61 also offered heartfelt reflections on Dan Bowden as a teacher and friend.

"Mr. Bowden, you represent everything that is great at Ransom Everglades," Miller said. "You are a direct link to a rich history, and you've built a legacy for this school to rest upon. Your soul and your passion are pillars of Ransom's future."

Midway through the event, Miller announced that he and his family – matriarch Sue and siblings Stuart Miller '75 and Leslie Saiontz Miller '77 – would donate the first $1 million to establish The Dan Leslie Bowden Fellowships for the Humanities. 

"I cannot think of any more eloquent way to express my gratitude than the classic 'thank you,'" Mr. Bowden said.

He drew laughs when he expressed displeasure with one element of the tributes: the recurring accusation that he showed a propensity for long-windedness.

"No one that really knows me would tend to think I would go on and on. I am cursed and reviled for my brevity," he said as the audience roared.

The event featured the unveiling of a pair of videos: a short documentary entitled "A Bowden Memory" that offered reflections on Dan Bowden's tenure at Ransom Everglades; and an alumni tribute video featuring recollections and words of gratitude from former students and colleagues nationwide, many of whom could not attend the event.

Nancie Sturges, an RE grandparent and former parent and longtime friend of Mr. Bowden, closed the evening by thanking Mr. Bowden and those who shared their memories.

"All of those memories are our way of holding onto someone we all love," Sturges said. "Dan Bowden is Ransom Everglades' greatest treasure and truly a priceless work of art." 

Please check back in a day or two as we are working to provide access to a video of Mr. Bowden's remarks (you can find all issues of the Dell + Cannon here to help you return to this story). In the meantime, you can watch the documentary video here; the alumni tribute video here; and the Channel 10 clip here.