TITLE
Title
RESOLUTION HONORING THE MEMORY OF THE LATE RICHARD HAUSBER BOWLING, IV
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Chairman Melvin "Skip" Alston
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RESOLUTION
Resolution
WHEREAS, Mr. Richard Hausber Bowling, IV was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, and departed this life on May 8, 2023; and
WHEREAS, in 1957, Mr. Bowling graduated from James B. Dudley High School; matriculated in the 1960s to North Carolina State University (NCSU) as one of seven African American students; and developed his athleticism in several intramural sports while earning an electrical engineering degree. Surviving during a time of social injustice and racism, Mr. Bowling was drafted to the United States Army. After two years of duty in Europe, he returned to NCSU to complete his degree; and
WHEREAS, he was employed for ten (10) years by Western Electric (now AT&T) as the only black planning engineer within the Missile Defense Division and in 1971, Mr. Bowling developed his entrepreneurial endeavors to open Cosmos I Nightclub, and later the Cosmos restaurant, catering to professionals seeking a social atmosphere. He later expanding his enterprise by purchasing the Florida Street Shopping Center and created Cosmos II - the largest disco in the Southeast. Mr. Bowling brought the multimedia environment, musical talent and synchronized flashing lights of the disco scene to North Carolina, long before there was a "Saturday Night Fever"; and
WHEREAS, considered an expert in his field, Mr. Bowling also owned and operated The Vineyard and M.C. Square, as well as co-owned and served as a consultant of Trevi Fountain, Incorporated and was the owner and manager of the Freeman Mill Square Shopping Center for almost thirty (30) years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bowling was also a competitive national duplicate bridge player, an avid golfer, chess player, enjoyed table tennis, created graphic designs, and earned his pilot’s license, affording him an opportunity to attend special events and meetings along the East Coast; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bowling’s accomplishments include being named a NC delegate to the White House Conference on Small Businesses in 1980, co-founding the South East Economic Developments (SEEDS) organization for black contractors and business owners in Southeast Greensboro, serving as a board member of United Way of Greensboro and the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, serving as president of the Greensboro Men's Club, and membership in a variety of organizations, such as: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, James B. Dudley High School Alumni Association and the Hayes Taylor YMCA Board of Management; and has been honored with the Greensboro Merchant Association's Circle of Excellence Award for Sales and Marketing, Greensboro Area Chamber of Commerce Nathanael Greene Award, Tau Omega Chapter's Citizen of the Year Award and served as the 2021 Grand Marshall for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Parade.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Guilford County Board of Commissioners wishes to express our admiration and appreciation for the life of Mr. Richard Hausber Bowling, IV and salute his many accomplishments; and that a copy of this resolution be presented to his family as a symbol of gratitude for his technological expertise, leadership skills, entrepreneurial talents, and dedicated service to both country and community.
ADOPTED this 13th day of July 2023.
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Adopt a resolution honoring the memory of the late Mr. Richard Hausber Bowling, IV.
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