Oxford Bus Company pays tribute to much-loved colleague by naming vehicle after him

Family and colleagues came together to celebrate the life of mechanic Mark ‘Panda’ Bowyer, as Oxford Bus Company named a vehicle in his memory.

Following a battle with cancer, Mr Bowyer sadly passed away just after Christmas. He had worked for Oxford Bus Company for an astonishing 49 years prior to his death.

The ‘Panda’ nickname can be traced back to when Mr Bowyer cleaned engines and gearboxes while wearing big goggles. When he removed them, his face would be covered in dirt and soot except for the clean circles round his eyes.

Mr Bowyer was passionate about Oxford Bus Company’s electric vehicles, and he was the first colleague in the workshop to purchase an electric car at home.

It was only fitting that a plaque with the words ‘In memory of our former colleague, Mark ‘Panda’ Bowyer’ be placed on the front of the last electric bus to enter the fleet while Mr Bowyer was alive. As it was the final vehicle added while he was still with the company, it is expected to remain in service the longest and has since returned to operation across Oxford.

Mr Bowyer’s partner of 18 years, Debbie Kiel, said: “Everyone got together and it was a really lovely day. It was a lovely tribute to a lovely man.

“We shared memories and stories, and it was a proud moment. I miss him so much, but I’m so proud of him. He was the funniest bloke, and he made me laugh all the time.

“We were such a good match. He’d know how to make me feel better when I was down.

“He loved his job and his friends, and he had the nicest, kindest manner. His colleagues have been so supportive and have been there for me throughout.”

Dean Walker served his apprenticeship at Oxford Bus Company between 1982 and 1988, returning in 2005.

The mechanic formed a close friendship with Mr Bowyer and said: “He was a funny guy, and in the last 12 months, he was on the same shifts as me. It worked well as I would often see him outside of work. We’d go to RAF museums and car shows together.

“He was an easy person to get on with and had plenty of quirks. He loved his coffee machine and would take his Tassimo pods and the machine with him when he went on holiday!”

Matty Davis, Engineering Manager, worked with Mr Bowyer for the last eight years and remembered a man who loved his work – and music too.

Mr Davis said: “Panda had a real love for the electric vehicles. His family was impressed by the plaque, and it was a lovely sunny day for everyone to come together.

“Panda was a very funny character, he was always full of beans. He knew a lot about music and when a song came on the radio, he would always know who it was and when it came out. I’ll always remember him dancing around the workshop.

“His knowledge of the vehicles was second to none. If there was something which needed doing and other people were struggling with it, then Panda was the man to fix it.”

Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company, said: “Unveiling the plaque was a poignant way to mark Panda’s remarkable contribution to the business.

“His sterling service is something of a rarity in the modern world, and Panda was a hugely respected and admired member of the team.

“It was touching to share memories with his family and see everyone come together for the special occasion.”