Scott Bowman puts on his cape, becoming Rochester’s Captain America © 2024 Kaitlin Campbell
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (NCC News) — Scott Bowman is Rochester’s real-life Captain America. He has impacted many lives and has become a celebrity around town.
Rochester isn’t just any city — it’s home to a real-life superhero: Scott Bowman.
Bowman doesn’t wear a cape or possess superhuman abilities. Instead, his superpower is positivity — and it’s a force that’s transformed lives across the community.
“Having someone that sits there and tells you that they accept you, that you can live your life as long as you’re happy… I feel like that’s just something everybody needs to hear once in a while,” said Jamie Wiley, one of the many people Bowman has helped.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Positivity’s power transforms lives
Kaitlin Campbell: The city of Rochester might as well be called ‘Metropolis’ or ‘Gotham City,’
Jamie Wiley: Having someone that sits there and tells you that they accept you, that live your life as long as you’re happy… I feel like that’s just something everybody needs to hear once in a while.
Campbell: You know — where superheroes come from?
Alicia Wardell: He’s invincible, he can do anything, he’s gonna help you…
Campbell: Because this place has a real-life superhero walking among them every day.
Archer Bowman: He’s probably my number one role model that I look up to.
Campbell: No — this one doesn’t need a cape. He’s got the best superpower of all: positivity.
Timothy Budd: In all transparency I wouldn’t be here today without the guy.
Campbell: Scott Bowman works in pest control, but he’s better suited as Rochester’s Captain America.
Scott Bowman: But the first thing I tell them is… my name is Scott, and I can help you, and I will help you in any means possible.
Campbell: Fueled by the love around him, he feels unstoppable, and he doesn’t need theme music to announce his presence. His voice brings smiles to people all over.
Bowman: You know I’m always here for you, you know I got you.
Campbell: And on the streets of Rochester, when you see Scott Bowman, you know you met Captain America, but Scott’s fight for positivity doesn’t stop there, he uploads videos to Facebook or provides that simple, strong message over the phone.
Bowman: The minute you ignite that happiness in your life, that’s when the true person comes out.
Campbell: His decision to become a hero stems from struggles of his own — the passing of his brother.
Bowman: My brother… he is my hero… I put my costume on, and I think of him every time.
Campbell: But always supporting him are his sidekicks, his fiancée, furry friend, and children, carrying on the same attitude.
Jacqueline Cover: Constantly being kind, being empathetic, being understanding… that while a person might be angry over there, they could be going through something… not taking it personal anymore.
Campbell: Scott’s superpower makes the door to his home always open, making anyone he helps a part of the family.
Kaitlin Campbell, NCC News
A pest control worker by day, Bowman is better known as Rochester’s Captain America, spreading joy and support wherever he goes.
“In all transparency, I wouldn’t be here today without the guy,” said Timothy Budd, another individual impacted by Bowman’s unwavering positivity.
For Bowman, the mission is personal. He draws inspiration from the memory of his brother, whose passing motivates him to keep going.
“My brother… he is my hero,” Bowman said, getting emotional. “I put my costume on, and I think of him every time.”
But Bowman isn’t alone in his fight to spread positivity. His fiancée, children and even his dog rally around him as his trusty sidekicks.
“Constantly being kind, being empathetic, being understanding… that while a person might be angry over there, they could be going through something,” said Jacqueline Cover, Bowman’s fiancée. “Not taking it personal anymore.”
Bowman’s efforts extend beyond face-to-face encounters. He regularly uploads motivational videos to Facebook and offers uplifting messages over the phone.
“The minute you ignite that happiness in your life, that’s when the true person comes out,” Bowman said.
Whether it’s a simple fist bump at a gas station or a heartfelt phone call, Bowman’s positivity leaves a lasting impact. His open-door policy has made anyone he helps feel like part of his family.
As his son Archer put it: “He’s probably my number one role model that I look up to.”
With a superhero like Scott Bowman in its midst, Rochester has a beacon of hope and kindness lighting its streets.