A Tragic Set Of Events

Friends on day trip when avalanche hit

Gov. Sean Parnell issued a statement on his death just before midnight Saturday:

"Jim brought so much to our state: his love of the great outdoors, his leadership of Conoco Phillips Alaska, and his dedication to making Alaska a better place for all of us to call home. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time," he said.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, called Bowles "a great partner in the responsible development of Alaska's natural resources," in a written statement Sunday.

Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, praised the company's philanthropy in Alaska under Bowles' watch. "Conoco Phillips contributed $13 million last year alone to hundreds of Alaska nonprofits, from environmental causes to health care."

Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan, who called Bowles a friend, said "Jim's generosity in giving back to our community set a high standard for Alaska business leaders," citing the new Conoco Phillips Integrated Science Building on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus as an example.