Michael W. Bowser

Dr. Michael W. Bowser, 92, of Wellsboro, passed away Sunday December 13, 2020 at his home. He was born October 27, 1928 in York, PA to Edward J. and Helen (Burt) Bowser. Dr. Bowser graduated from William Penn Sr. High School of York, Juniata College, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry where he earned honors for scholastic achievement and was a member of the Mathew H. Cryer Honorary Oral Surgical Society and Delta Sigma Delta fraternity. He performed his residency in Oral Surgery at Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia, and served as a Captain in the USAF as Oral Surgeon for the 3810th USAF Hospital during the Korean War. During this service, Dr. Bowser developed methods for the immediate, temporary replacement of partial and total lower jaw loss and construction of immediate replacement of skull plate deficiencies.
Established private practice of Oral Surgery in York, PA on his return from the Air Force in 1954. Dr. Bowser was the founder of the York Oral Surgery Center and he was an active staff member of The York Hospital, Memorial Hospital of York and consultant to The Hanover and Gettysburg Hospitals. Dr. Bowser was a member of The York County Dental Society, for which he was a past-president, The Pennsylvania and American Dental Associations, American Society of Dental Anesthesiology, Pennsylvania Society of Oral and Maxilo Facial Surgeons, The Delaware Society of Oral and Maxilo Facial Surgeons, the American Society of Oral and Maxilo Facial Surgeons, and the International Association of Oral and Maxilo Facial Surgeons.
Dr. Bowser was instrumental in securing the land for the present day “York Archers”. He was an avid bow hunter and travelled extensively to various states and Canadian Provinces to pursue his interest in hunting with the LONG bow. He filmed the adventures to be presented on the, then, “Call of the Outdoors”, a TV program hosted by Harry Allaman from WGAL in Lancaster, PA.
Mike loved to be afield with his bird dogs, and operated a regulated shooting preserve (Valley Shooting Preserve) in southern York County, where he raised and trained bird dogs. He was a past president of the Pennsylvania Game Breeders and Shooting Preserve Operators.
In 1981 Dr. Bowser retired from York Oral Surgery and moved to Wellsboro where he established an Oral Surgery practice based in the Soldiers and Sailors Hospital of Wellsboro. He retired in 1988.
Dr. Bowser was an avid hunter and fisherman and also devoted to environmental and land preservation. He was a founding board member of the North Central Pennsylvania Conservancy and served for 6 years. He served on the founding board of the Pine Creek Headwaters Protection Group. He was an active private pilot for most of his adult life and served as a member of the Wellsboro-Johnston Grand Canyon of PA Airport Authority and member of the Canyon Pilots Association. Dr. Bowser was an active member of Rotary International for 62 years as a member of both the York and Wellsboro Rotary Clubs. He was a member of the First Church of the Brethren in York, PA and attended services at the First Presbyterian Church of Wellsboro since 1981. He became a member in 2005.
Dr. Bowser was preceded in death by his parents, and a son: Richard Lea Bowser. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nancy; two sons: Michael, Jr. and David Bowser; a daughter: Cynthia Bacon; 7 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
His arrangements have been entrusted to the Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home 139 Main Street Wellsboro, PA, and there will be a memorial gathering at the convenience of his family. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory should be to Wounded Warriors or a charity of the donor’s choice. To share a memory or condolence with his family visit www.tusseymosher.com.

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