Laurie John Bowser

Laurie John Bowser, 81, passed away at home in the early hours of June 12, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born on October 23, 1944, in Cook, Minnesota, Laurie spent his childhood in Columbus, New Mexico, and Kensington, Maryland. When he was discharged from the Army at Fort Carson following his service in Vietnam, he came to Boulder to visit friends and never left, making Colorado his home for the rest of his life.

Laurie served as a Platoon Medic in the United States Army's 9th Infantry Division from March 1968 to March 1970, including service in Vietnam, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. Throughout his time there, he carefully documented his experiences in Vietnam through photographs, creating a detailed record of daily life, the people he served alongside, and the places he encountered. Decades later, he could still identify nearly every person in those images and took great pride in preserving that history.

In 1967, Laurie began his career as a U.S. Postal Letter Carrier. He worked for the Postal Service for more than forty years before retiring in 2011. He was an active union member throughout his career and, after retirement, looked forward to meeting fellow retired postal workers for breakfast each month.

Laurie is survived by his beloved wife, Julia Steiner; his daughters, Joan Forsythe and Lisa Reynolds; his stepsons, Jon Bookout and Tim Bookout; his grandchildren, Grant, Morgan, Emmett, and Gabriel; his brother, Bill Bowser; his sister, Kathy Kingsley; and many friends and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vienna and John Bowser, and his sisters, Sylvia Greg and Patty Merriman.

Anyone who knew Laurie knew that he was quiet, reserved, independent, and comfortable going his own way. He often joked that his superpower was invisibility, and it was not uncommon for him to slip out of a social gathering without anyone noticing. He rarely sought the spotlight, but he could deliver a perfectly timed comment that would have everyone laughing. His dry sense of humor was easy to miss if you weren't paying attention, but those who caught it knew just how funny he was.

Laurie often said that he got along best with "animals, kids, and crazy people." Those who loved him knew there was more truth than joke in that statement. He had a gentle kindness, a generous spirit, and an easy acceptance of people exactly as they were. He always rooted for the underdog and the "little guy," a belief that showed up in both his personal life and his years as an active union member. Among his papers, the family found a letter he had written defending a janitor at the post office who he felt was being treated unfairly. That was simply who Laurie was. He believed people deserved compassion, dignity, and a fair shake, whether they were coworkers, strangers, or someone down on their luck. He rarely passed by someone asking for help without

offering a few dollars or a kind word, and he carried those values quietly but consistently throughout his life.

Photography was one of Laurie's great passions. He was an expert and collector of antique and vintage cameras. Family and friends knew him as the person always carrying a camera, ready to document holidays, road trips, family gatherings, and everyday moments. He left behind a remarkable visual history of both his family and his own life. Laurie loved collecting things that interested him. Along with cameras, he collected antique photographs and original artwork, much of it discovered in thrift stores and secondhand shops. He took particular pleasure in rescuing overlooked treasures and had a deep appreciation for the creativity and talent of the people who made them.

In 1979, Laurie purchased the Boulder home which became the center of family life and the place where he married his wife, Julia, in the backyard in 1982. He took great pride in caring for his yard and trees and built the back patio himself. Many mornings began there, with a cup of coffee, a newspaper, and a quiet appreciation for his life. He loved his coffee and rarely left home without a to-go cup in his hand.

His family will also remember the sayings that were uniquely his. Before setting out on a trip or adventure, he would often announce, "We're off like a herd of wild turtles." He was equally likely to invent a phrase of his own, such as "kaka-laka-luku," simply because it amused him.

Above all, Laurie loved his family and was happiest in their presence. He never missed an opportunity to tell them he loved them and how proud he was of them.

A small family gathering to celebrate and remember Laurie John Bowser will be held at a date and location to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to veterans' organizations in his honor.

"We're off like a herd of wild turtles."

— Laurie John Bowser