Gordon Bowker

Gordon Albert Bowker (October 29, 1942 – August 21, 2025) was an American businessman who began his career as a writer and later co-founded Starbucks with Jerry Baldwin and Zev Siegl. He was later a co-owner of Peet's Coffee & Tea and Redhook Ale Brewery.

Life and career Following his father's death in World War II, Bowker was raised by his mother, Hazel Ringseth Bowker (1915–1991), in Ballard and Burien, Washington. His maternal grandparents were Norwegian immigrants who took part in the Alaskan Gold Rush. He graduated from O'Dea High School in Seattle. From 1960 to 1965, Bowker attended the University of San Francisco, where he was roommates with Baldwin. Bowker dropped out eight credits away from graduation.

In 1971, Bowker, Baldwin and Siegl opened the first Starbucks near Pike Place Market. In 1987, Bowker and Baldwin sold Starbucks to Howard Schultz and a group of investors. Bowker then left the coffee business, but was later on Peet's board of directors from 1994 to 2008.