Mt Hood coach loses battle with brain tumor

On Tuesday morning, MHCC track and field coach Doug Bowman, 64, passed away at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland after battling brain cancer for a year.

A faculty member since 2012, as well as an alumnus of Mt. Hood, Bowman had served as head coach since 2014. Under his tutelage, over 100 athletes went on to track and field programs at numerous four-year universities, school officials said.

A coach for almost 40 years and a father of six (and grandfather of 16), Bowman had a profound impact on many student athletes. In the school’s press release, MHCC Athletic Director Kim Hyatt said that “Coach Bowman’s dedication to his team was amazing. His love and knowledge of track and field, and his commitment to passing that on to the next generation of athletes, made him an outstanding coach and human being. He will be missed dearly.”

In an interview with the Advocate published last year, (https://www.advocate-online.net/sports/saints-coach-doing-just-fine-after-being-hospitalized-with-glioblastoma-11698/), Bowman discussed his health troubles and the response he felt.

“He said the biggest lesson from this draining situation was how much the community cared for his health and well-being,” wrote Advocate reporter Jon Fuccillo. “ ‘I can feel everyone around me that is thinking about me. I know it sounds crazy, but I can really feel them reaching out to me,” Bowman told Fuccillo. “I don’t know who they are, but I can feel them. The feeling is, you’re not alone in this.’ ”

In a Facebook post, Bowman’s wife of 14 years, Cheryl, said the family would wait until after finals week at Mt. Hood to have a memorial, as Bowman always wanted students to focus on their studies.

Students who wish to express their condolences, meantime, can reach out to the Athletic Department (use the MHCC address of 26000 SE Stark St., Gresham, Oregon, 97030 and “Attention: Athletics Department”).

With heavy hearts, the Saints team is competing Saturday in the NWAC Southern Region Championships at Lane Community College.

Mt. Hood is set to host the full NWAC Championship meet here in Gresham, on May 22-23.

Advocate Staff