RALEIGH, NC – dabowpay, a Texas-based payments and business technology provider, is establishing the David A. Bowles Memorial Scholarship to help the families of members of the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA). dabowpay will fund this new $2,500 annual scholarship beginning in 2026. The scholarship will be awarded annually for at least three years through 2028.
Upon returning home to Texas after serving in the U.S. Navy, David Bowles worked in liquor sales with Lone Star and W.A. Taylor. In 1990, he founded Check Technologies which evolved into dabowpay.
After spending over 18 years in the payments and POS industry, Bowles’ passion for his family history and storytelling inspired him to become an author and publisher, chronicling the journeys of his ancestors in the “Westward Sagas,” a five-book series that reflected his deep love for Texas, his country, and its rich heritage. Bowles’ great grandmother Elnora Van Cleve is recorded as the first birth in Austin, TX.
A dedicated member of various business and historical organizations, Bowles was involved with the Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Republic of Texas, and the Texas State Historical Association, among others. He also served on President Bill Clinton’s Small Business Advisory Council.
Bowles passed away Sept. 21, 2024, at the age of 80.
dabowpay is now led by Bowles’ daughter Sherri Williams and grandson Nicholas Williams who are both active members of the RSPA. “We wouldn’t be where we are without the education and the help of the many RSPA members we have met and partnered with in the RSPA community,” Sherri said. “Education and the POS community were important to him. This is our attempt to share the gift of education with a community who has helped us get where we are today. The kindness and the generosity of RSPA have made a big difference in our lives, and we want to pay it forward. We trust the RSPA community, and we are grateful to the RSPA for this opportunity.”
“Our community is grateful to dabowpay and Sherri for honoring her father through this new scholarship,” said Jim Roddy, President & CEO of the RSPA. “David appreciated history while also keeping his clients prepared for the future. His positive influence will be felt by the next generation of the RSPA community. We are honored the RSPA Scholarship Program can help make that possible.”
The first David A. Bowles Memorial Scholarship recipient will be formally announced at RetailNOW 2026, the RSPA’s annual trade show, education conference, and networking event.
Since the inception of the RSPA Scholarship Program, the RSPA has awarded over 2,000 merit scholarships and nearly $3 million to families of member companies. The children and grandchildren of all RSPA members are eligible for merit-based scholarships to help ease the costs associated with post-secondary education.
For more information on the RSPA Scholarship Program, visit www.GoRSPA.org/scholarship or email the RSPA Member Services Team of Peggy Fry, Nicole Greene, and Heather Broussard at Membership@GoRSPA.org.
About RSPA (Retail Solutions Providers Association)
The RSPA is North America’s largest community of VARs, software providers, vendors, and distributors in the retail, restaurant, and grocery verticals. The mission of the RSPA is to accelerate the success of its members in the retail technology ecosystem by providing knowledge and connections. The organization offers member-to-member warm introductions, education, legal advice, industry advocacy, and other services to assist members with becoming and remaining successful. RSPA is most well-known for its signature events, RetailNOW® and Inspire®, which provide face-to-face learning and networking opportunities. Learn more by visiting www.GoRSPA.org.
