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Bowers continues to serve agriculture community

Staff reporter

The old adage, "It takes one to know one" rings true for Greg Bowers of rural Marion, and his role as a farmer and banker.

Sporting a farmer's tan and sometimes driving a grain truck to work, Bowers can relate to the challenges farmers face because he is one of them.

The eldest of nine children born to David and Shirley (Collett) Bowers, Greg Bowers was born in July 1951, in the second floor Marion hospital on Main Street. It also happened to be during the infamous 1951 flood. Waters had receded just before his birth but rose again which required mother and baby to go home in a boat.

He graduated in 1969 from Marion High School and was chosen class valedictorian. From there he went to Kansas State University.

As a junior at KSU, Bowers entered Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). He graduated in 1974 with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture and a master's in agriculture economics.

Bowers joined the U.S. Army but decided he didn't want to make a career of it. Having an interest in finance, he had always considered a job in banking.

"I asked Bob Brooks and Ed Colburn (of Farmers & Drovers National Bank) if there were any openings," Bowers said. Indeed there was and he was hired as an agriculture loan officer.

"I thought I would do this for five years and then go on to something else," Bowers said with a smile, but found the job rewarding.

Interacting with customers is the reason he's still in the banking business 30 years later.

"I'm a student of human nature," Bowers said. "I like getting to know people and helping them out."

Never forgot his roots

Bowers was raised on a farm northeast of Marion. Church and family were important to his parents and the tradition continues with his family.

Taught by his father to be a farmer, the work was hard but the rewards were immeasurable. Bowers' love for farming and desire to help people made him a natural banker.

Fifty years ago, children were an important part of the farming operation — often beginning to drive equipment at a young age. It was no different at the Bowers farm.

No air-conditioned cabs, stereo systems, or power anything, farming was more brawn than what it is today.

Bowers worked for Don Fruechting one summer, and with his brother Russell, hauled hay for college money.

Changing times

During the past 30 years, Bowers has seen many changes in the banking world.

"In 1977, the bank could have operated and served its customers without electricity," he said.

Individual farm loans were typed and then paid off when the cattle or crops were sold. Most loans would be for $2,000 or $3,000. Each time the farmer needed to make a purchase, another loan would be processed.

"Now farmers get a line of credit and just call to let us know about the transaction," Bowers said, which gives the customer a lot more flexibility and less paperwork for the bank.

Manual typewriters and calculators were the order of the day and bookkeeping personnel were located within the bank.

Later on, updated computer printouts of customers' accounts were delivered daily by courier.

"When checks were written, they were processed in Salina, microfilmed, and returned to the customer," Bowers said.

With the onset of the computer age, paper checks are becoming less common and electronic banking is taking over.

Until about 10 years ago, counter checks were accepted by the bank and local businesses.

"It was a simpler time then," Bowers said.

When Bowers first was hired, he mainly processed housing and ag-related loans. When the bank changed ownership in 1986, Bowers was promoted to executive vice president which is the position he holds today.

His family and the future

Bowers and Mary Beth Kjellin have been married for nearly 34 years.

Their son, Ben, is married to Tasha and they live in Alaska. They have two children — Skyler and Rustin.

Daughter Ronnie lives in Marion, and Luke is a 2007 MHS graduate.

Son Stephen died in 2006.

From counter checks to debit cards, and open tractors to air-conditioned cabs, Bowers has seen many changes.

One thing that hasn't changed is Bowers attitude. He appreciates the opportunity he has had to work with the bank owners, board members, and customers.

When asked how many loans he probably has processed in the past 30 years, Bowers pondered the question and said probably thousands.

"It's satisfying to know that I may have made a difference," he said, and he looks forward to the next 30 years.

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