ASCE Foundation

Robert L. Bowen, P.E., Dist. M.ASCE, received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University.  He has distinguished himself in the construction industry as the founder and chairman of Indianapolis-based Bowen Engineering Corporation. The multi-market company specializes in water and wastewater treatment plants and energy utility construction, covering 15 states throughout the Midwest and Southeastern United States. Bowen is considered an authority on preplanning and leadership practices in construction. He is also founder and instructor for the Associated General Contractors Project Manager Institute.

In 1997, Robert and his wife, Terry, established the Bowen Foundation, which provides scholarships to minority students in Indianapolis to help them pursue an education past high school. About 300 students have received scholarships through the Bowen Foundation. In October 2009, Bob was inducted into the Indianapolis Public Schools Hall of Fame.

In October 2010, he became a Distinguished Member of ASCE, and in March 2012, he received the ASCE OPAL Award for Outstanding Lifetime Achievement in Construction.

Bowen became a member of the ASCE Foundation’s Founder Society with his generous philanthropic gift in 2019. 

Is making a gift of cash right for you?

One of the easiest and most common ways for you to support the American Society of Civil Engineers Foundation is with a gift of cash. Cash can be used to support our work in the form of:

• An outright gift. By making a cash gift by check, or credit card today, you enable us to meet our most urgent needs and carry out our mission on a daily basis. You will have the opportunity to see your generosity in action and will also receive a federal income tax charitable deduction, when you itemize.
• A payable on death (POD) account. A POD bank account or certificate of deposit names one or more persons or charities as the beneficiary of all funds once you, the account owner, pass away. The beneficiary you name has no rights to the funds until after your lifetime. Until that time, you remain in control and are free to use the money in the bank account, change the beneficiary or close the account.
• Memorial and Tribute Gifts. If you have a friend or family member whose life has been touched by the ASCE Foundation, consider making a gift to us in his or her name.

If you have any questions about gifts of cash, please contact us. We would be happy to assist you and answer any questions that you have.