[2] Fowler was born in Rutland (city), Vermont and later lived for many years in Tulare, California.

Although he was a relative unknown amateur player, Fowler won the 1979 World Series of Poker Main Event.

[citation needed] Fowler's 1979 win is sometimes called the greatest upset in the history of the WSOP.

[4] Fowler later faded from the poker scene because of complications from diabetes that hurt his eyesight and his legs.

[5] He died at the age of 73 of hemorrhagic shock due to upper gastro-intestinal bleeding, after having been driven to the hospital by a friend on November 7, 2000.