Robert Edward "Rufus" Bowen (February 23, 1947 – July 30, 1978) was an American internationally known[1] professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley, who specialized in dynamical systems theory.

[3] In 1964, he finished second in the Westinghouse (now Intel) Science Talent Search in Washington, D.C.[4] During his senior year in high school, his first published paper appeared in the American Mathematical Monthly.

[5] He earned his bachelor's degree from Berkeley where he received, on 15 June 1967, the University Medal as the most distinguished graduating senior.

In 1970, Bowen completed his doctorate in mathematics at Berkeley under Stephen Smale, and joined the faculty as assistant professor in that year.

"[1] Berkeley's Mathematics Department Chairman John L. Kelley called Bowen a "remarkable, brilliant professor and superb teacher.

"[1] Dennis Sullivan wrote, in the issue of Publications Mathématiques de l'IHÉS dedicated to Bowen's memory, Rufus was special, and I could close with Mike Shub's comment, "Don't forget to say that we all liked him".