On December 31, 2022, Michael Alan Sowers, an amazing husband and father, passed away at fifty-four years old. Mike was a life-long learner with a bachelor's degree in history and master's degrees in Pacific Rim studies and in education. He spent much of his working life in higher education, and he also co-owned Well Fed Head Books in downtown Springfield. In all roles, Mike was a creative problem solver who brought a steadying and positive outlook to those around him.

Mike loved the outdoors. Mike enjoyed fishing in the frigid waters of Alaska and in the lakes and streams of southern Missouri. He also loved to go hunting, hiking, backpacking, and canoeing. One of the things he most liked about his annual deer hunts with his dad was the time simply sitting and watching the forest wake in the dawn light. He found that connecting with the natural world helped him unwind, recharge, and renew himself.

When he was at home, Mike found this connection to the outdoors by gardening. While he liked to grow vegetables like tomatoes, green beans, peas, and potatoes, his favorite garden plants were perennials like asparagus, rhubarb, lavender, sage, and coneflowers. They, he said, were plants that pulled their own weight.

Mike loved playing the drums, throwing a tri-tip on the grill, and plotting his strategy in board games. He loved helping coach his son's baseball teams. He loved dumb jokes, slapstick comedy, and laughing to the point of wheezing.

More than any of these things, Mike loved people. He loved sharing a good meal and conversation with family and friends. He sustained deep and lasting friendships from every phase of his life. Among the most enduring were those friendships he forged while a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at Truman State.

Most of all, Mike loved the family he created with his wife and son. He was so thankful to have had the chance to be Roman's dad.

Mike grabbed life with both hands, lived it fully, and held it tight until the very end. He was loved and will be much missed.

He is survived by his wife, Beth Buczynski, his son, Roman Sowers, his parents, J. Neal Sowers and Kathy Ray Sowers, and his brother, David Sowers, all of Springfield, Missouri. He also leaves behind a large extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and in-laws.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 4, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to an education fund for his son. Please make checks payable to Beth Buczynski.