Earl W. Bowlby

Earl W. Bowlby, 89, of Logan, passed away at his home on Saturday, August 5, 2023. He was born in Logan on October 27, 1933, the son of the late Charles E. and Thelma “Bess” (Hood) Bowlby. He was married on September 4, 1953, to the late Shirley Jean (Swaim) Bowlby.

Earl was passionate about motorcycles. He was a leading American Motorcyclist Association - AMA Hillclimb competitor during the 1970s and '80s. During his 25-year career, Bowlby earned 10 national hillclimbing titles. He is the only Hillclimber to win the Triple Crown; overall points leader, US National Champion, and Canadian National Champion all in the same year. He is also an AMA Hall of Fame Inductee. He and his wife, Shirley, traveled by motorcycle to 49 states, including twice to Alaska, as well as most of Canada, covering countless miles.

Earl is survived by his sons, Richard “Dick” (Dixie) Bowlby, Gary (Tina) Bowlby, and Brian (Elly) Bowlby, all of Logan; daughters, Kathy (Gregg) Russell of Logan, Christy Auker of Rockbridge, and Karen (Gus) Morris of Glouster; grandchildren, Mark, David, Scott, Kenny, Michael, John, Tiffany, Kiera, Brandon, Zachary, and Aaron; great grandchildren, Christopher, Benjamin, Ian, Emily, Tyler, Broc, Braylon, Briele and Sophia; brothers, Carol (Mary Jane) Bowlby of Logan and Wayne (Anita) Bowlby of Logan; and sister-in-law, Eloise Stivison of Logan.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sister, Betty Mundy; brother, Robert Bowlby; 2 infant brothers; and brother-in-law, James Swaim.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, August 11, 2023, in the Cardaras Funeral Home, 183 E. Second St., Logan, with Pastor Phil Stevens officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Rockbridge. Family and friends may visit from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm Thursday at the funeral home and 1 hour prior to the service.

The family suggests donations to the AMA Hall of Fame Museum, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147 or to your favorite charity.

Please sign his online guestbook at www.cardaras.com