Bryan Bowlsbey is a retired military man who was a major in the Illinois National Guard and is also known as an Information Technology Specialist according to his LinkedIn profile. Born in Huffman Estates Illinois on July 17, 1967, Bowlsbey was part of the troop that was sent to Iraq and Kuwait according to the Department of Defense.
He had worked in the capacity of Chief of security administrations for AT&T and as the designing lead for Army National Guard.
At almost 54, Bowlsbey has made a lot of accomplishments and it is further buoyed up by the achievements of his wife Tammy Duckworth, who is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S army and the serving Junior United States Senator from Illinois. Together, the couple has formed a unique team of war veterans whose experiences, both personal and career-related, have been a source of encouragement to everyone.
5 interesting facts Bryan Bowlsbey
Here are five interesting facts you need to know about Tammy Duckworth’s husband.
1. Bryan Bowlsbey is a licensed commercial pilot
Having the license to fly, is one quality that Bryan Bowlsbey and his wife Tammy Duckworth have incoming. While his flying activities are not well-known, it is common knowledge that Tammy Duckworth lost both of her legs and almost her right arm after her helicopter was shot down by a hand-propelled grenade when she was on a mission in Iraq in 2004. She now uses a pair of prosthetic legs but has however retained her license to fly.
Moreover, Bryan Bowlsbey is well-educated. He obtained his college degree from the University of Maryland where he studied military history and graduated in 2000. He also studied at Webster University where he earned his master’s degree in IT Management in 2012. He is also involved in Engineering and Internet security and has worked with companies like AT&T and is currently the acting JRSS Migration Manager at a computer support company known as VAE according to his LinkedIn profile.
Bryan Bowlsbey holds an American nationality and is from a white ethnic background. He is the son of Martha and Williams Bowlsbey. He calls himself a “Computer geek” according to his Facebook page.
2. Bryan Bowlsbey and Duckworth’s relationship began at George Washington University
Bryan Bowlsbey and Tammy Duckworth were both ROTC cadets at George Washington University where they were introduced for the first time but not under the best of circumstances. Duckworth narrated to CSPAN, how Bowlsbey had made a statement that she considered derogatory about the role of women in the military, but later apologized and helped her clean her M16. A couple of years later, they got engaged and tied the knot in 1993.
3. Bryan Bowlsbey and his wife almost went for adoption before she became pregnant
Bryan Bowlsbey and his wife struggled with infertility for nearly 10 years and almost ended up adopting a child before deciding to try for one more time. A fertility doctor had told them that the numerous X-rays she got after her injuries had greatly affected her chances of becoming pregnant in a natural way. However, a friend’s suggestion that they contact a doctor in Chicago made the difference and she conceived via IVF.
Their first daughter Abigail O’kalani was born on November 18, 2014, and their second daughter Maile Pearl, named after her late great aunt, Pearl Bowlsbey Johnson – came into the world on April 9, 2018. With the birth of Abigail, Duckworth became the first woman to give birth while in office. Her daughter also became the first baby less than one year to be allowed on the Senate floor after a unanimous decision to change the rule came into effect a few days after she was born.
4. The Hardest Thing He Had To Do
Bryan Bowlsbey understood the risks involved in the military. But it was still emotionally tasking when his wife was wounded in the Iraq war.
Tammy Duckworth’s injury kept her in a coma for a week. She woke up not knowing she was injured and said to her husband “I love you, put me to work”. But with the help of doctors, Bowlsbey was able to explain the situation to her and she handled it well.
Friends and colleagues also came around to make adjustments to their home when she was finally able to return to the house. They helped in making some adjustments so she could move easily around. A recent report from the Fairfax County property also indicates that Bowlsbey bought a house in McLean Virginia after Duckworth was elected to the Senate.
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5. Bryan Bowlsbey’s wife has written a memoir titled “Every Day is a Gift”
On the 16th remembrance, after her helicopter was shot down in Iraq, Tammy Duckworth announced she will publish a memoir. The title, “Every day is a gift”, with the subtitle “Soldier, Senator, Mother” aptly captures her experience.
Duckworth has expressed gratitude for being alive to tell her American story. Based on information from the Chicago Sun-Times, Duckworth said “My life has been filled with unexpected challenges and painful experiences, but also with the rewards that come with service and perseverance”.
Born on March 12 in Bangkok Thailand, Duckworth grew up with her parents who moved around Southeast Asia. Her father Franklin Duckworth is of American Nationality and was a U.S army and U.S Marine Corps, veteran. He died in 2005. Her mother is Lamai Sompornpairin, a Thai Chinese. There was a time the family survived on food stamps and Duckworth had to sell flowers to make ends meet.
Tammy Duckworth had her Education at the Singapore American School, The international School as well as the McKinley High School in Honolulu Hawaii. She has a degree from the University of Hawaii where she graduated in 1989 and further got a Master of Arts from the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International affairs. She also has a PhD in Human services from Capella University after recovering from her injuries.
She got inspired to run for political office by Senator Dick Durbin, a senator from Illinois. Her memoir was published in March 2021 and is available on Amazon.
