Cultural/Performing Arts
Born in 1925, W.W. “Jack” Bower was the grandson of Dr. Wilford White, founder of the White Hospital in Ravenna and one of the founders of the Cleveland Clinic. Mr. Bower attended Ravenna Schools, graduating in 1943. During World War II, Jack fought in the Battle of the Bulge and served in the United States Infantry in the ETO, fighting wintry, frostbitten days on the German/Belgium border. After attending Columbia University’s Graduate School of Philosophy, he joined the faculty of the College of Wooster. Winner of a Ford Foundation Faculty Fellowship, he returned to New York. He became a professional motion picture film consultant with Eastman Kodak Company and joined Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in New York and California. He was involved in the production of film for television, meeting Elizabeth Taylor and other movie stars. In 1959, he moved to his home at Troutbeck in Amenia, New York. He taught at the Millbrook School where he became Assistant Head Master. He created and directed a very successful residential program for gang leaders among children of Harlem, the Bronx and the lower east side of New York. Jack would take these kids and give them lessons in character. He motivated his students to reach for their goals and inspired them to basically live their dreams. Leaving Millbrook to take care of his mother, he filled the same role at St. Andrew’s School of Boca Raton, Florida. Jack was known as a great storyteller who regaled students with slices of his life, which at times were better than fiction. Mr. Bower headed the Upper School of the Pine Crest School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and retired after 43 years as an educator. Jack died in 2002. His remains are inurned at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.