A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Honoring Rod Bowar for his life, achievement, and legacy.

WHEREAS, Rod Bowar lived his life dedicated to his family and to the betterment of his community, industry, and state; and

WHEREAS, Rod Bowar was offered a job with the Kennebec Telephone Company and was eventually given the opportunity to purchase the company and become its president; and

WHEREAS, Rod Bowar’s entrepreneurial spirit spurred him to start many businesses, providing numerous jobs and continued service to his community; and

WHEREAS, Rod Bowar inherited the family passion for fighting fire from his father, and provided a strong example of the commitment to protect and serve the people of Kennebec and the surrounding communities for his son, Chaz, to carry on; and

WHEREAS, Rod Bowar was a longtime leader in the rural telecommunications industry, serving on the board of directors for SDN; and was a longtime president of the South Dakota Telecommunications Association; and

WHEREAS, Rod Bowar assisted the growth and development of numerous young people from his community by his support of local schools, scholarship programs, and mentorship; and

WHEREAS, Rod Bowar was involved in improving his community and state by serving in the Kennebec Volunteer Fire Department, Kennebec Town Board, Dakota Prairie Bank Board, SDN Board, FRRPA Board, SDTA Board, Kennebec Town and Country Club, Presho Area Chamber, Medicine Creek Lions Club, South Dakota Hall of Fame Board, Badlands Fire District Director, MTI Foundation Board, and South Dakota Board of Technical Education, among others; and

WHEREAS, Rod Bowar was dedicated to his wonderful family and numerous friends:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the Ninety-Eighth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that Rod Bowar had a well-lived life and greatly benefitted his community, industry, and our great state.