Brian Francis Bowler

Published 9:05 am Monday, February 12, 2018

January 9, 1938 – December 16, 2017

Brian Francis Bowler, 79, died December 16, 2017, surrounded by his family at his home in Bend.

Brian, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away after a long fight against the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Born January 9, 1938, in Plymouth, England, Brian served in the Royal Navy, spoke German and French, and was schooled in finance, marketing, and computer programming.

Brian had an illustrious career with some of the largest automakers in the world. In 1967, Brian joined Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG) in England. In 1976, Brian was appointed to the VAG board, responsible for sales and marketing, and served in that position until 1985. Brian then moved his family to Detroit, Michigan, and became the president of DDB Needham Detroit, managing the Volkswagen North America and Audi of America advertising accounts. In 1989, Brian became the president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, where he was responsible for all of Porsche’s operations in the U.S.

Brian and his wife, Jean, purchased The Mandala Agency in 1995 and moved to Bend, Oregon. Through his marketing and management expertise, Brian grew a small-town agency into a highly respected, Central Oregon advertising institution.

Brian was an accomplished rugby player, alpinist, sailor, diver, and backcountry skier, twice completing the fabled Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt. His favorite Bend pastimes were skiing Mt. Bachelor, flying a plane over the Cascade Mountains, or downing a pint of Mirror Pond by the fireplace at Deschutes Brewery.

Brian is survived by his wife, Jean; his sons, Jeremy and Sheri, Matthew and Annette, and Ben and TJ; his grandchildren, Sarah, Olivia, Dominic, and Sebastian; and his sister, Josie.

Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Central Oregon.

There will be a Memorial Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (downtown Bend) on February 26 at 12:15pm.