Patricia (Pat) M. Bower

Born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Pat Bower (nee Michener) will readily tell you that her roots are in Lynchburg and that she has no desire to live anywhere else.  She and her husband, John Bower (deceased 2012), moved to Lynchburg in 1980, because of his work with General Electric.  Before meeting and marrying John, Pat graduated from Unionville High School in Unionville, PA, and went on to earn a B.A. from Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA with a double major of economics and political science.  In 1972, she earned the professional designation of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

 While living in Philadelphia, Pat worked a total of nine years as Senior Investment Officer for two banks.  Once in Lynchburg, she first focused on raising her two daughters—Anne Pender, who lives in Mooresville, NC with husband Jeff and two sons, Levi and Oliver.  Jean Bower resides in Midvale, Utah with a long-time companion and two special grand dogs.   She is Assistant Professor of Biotechnology at Salt Lake City Community College.

Pat soon became involved in a several community activities in Lynchburg, including committees and ministries of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation.  She joined the League of Women Voters, serving on that board for many years.  During the 1980s, Pat served on the Lynchburg School Board.

In 1991, after approximately 15 years out of the workforce, Pat became Manager of Taylor Bros. Garden Center.  In 2002, she left that job for what she describes as a wonderful, challenging one -  Registrar of Voters for the City of Lynchburg.  After retiring in 2010, she served on the Electoral Board for seven years.  She now spends time supporting several church committees and working with Citizens Climate Lobby toward mitigating climate change.