The founder of The Bowman Centre For Sustainable Energy in Sarnia has died.
Clement Bowman passed away Thursday at the age of 91.
Bowman Centre President and Associate Marshall Kern said that "saving Canada" was how Bowman described his work.
"For over a decade he, and an increasing number of volunteers who wanted to work with him, discussed, designed and promoted projects," said Kern. "Big projects, Clem would say, are the way Canada was built and nation-building big projects are needed now to achieve our environmental and economic goals."
Kern said Bowman, a chemical engineer, often wished he were twenty years younger so he could be more active in pushing ideas to completion.
"Clem lived and worked across Canada and firmly believed that Canada is blessed with many natural resources to deliver an abundance of energy," said Kern. "Energy is needed to sustain and improve our quality of life. Throughout his career Clem reached out to build relationships and friendships with energy visionaries. Whether hydrogen, or hydropower, or nuclear, or hydrocarbons, or the means of transmission, Clem could encourage others to focus their efforts towards a sustainable energy future for Canada."
Bowman received the Order of Canada in 1994 and the Global Energy Prize in 2008.
"We, the associates of The Bowman Centre for Sustainable Energy, and everyone who respected Clem for his devotion to “Saving Canada”, will continue to push nation-building big project ideas to completion," Kern said. "We miss him. We thank him for his vision. We will continue his work."
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley called Bowman's contribution to Sarnia-Lambton and Canada "immeasurable."
"The Bowman Centre for Sustainable Energy is named in his honour at the Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park," said Bradley. "On a personal basis he was a true gentleman, engaging company, brilliant with a great sense of humour. Clem was on the Mayor’s Honours List in 2008 for his enormous contribution to Canadian life."
Western University named the national centre for technology commercialization after Bowman in 2010.
Bowman is survived by his dear friend Nancy, son John, daughter Ann and their families.
Funeral details have yet to be announced.