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Father of White House adviser Valerie Jarrett dies

Dr. James Bowman, an internationally recognized pathologist whose daughter, Valerie Jarrett, is a senior White House adviser, has died. He was 88.

The University of Chicago Medical Center says Bowman died there Wednesday after a long battle with cancer.

Bowman was a professor emeritus in the university’s pathology and medicine departments.

He was the first tenured black professor in the school’s biological sciences division. He specialized in inherited blood diseases and population genetics.

He grew up in Washington and attended Howard University and Howard Medical School.

The university says he was also a “powerful advocate” for minorities who wanted to pursue academic medical careers.

Bowman is survived by his wife, Barbara, their daughter, Jarrett, and a granddaughter.

A memorial service at the university is being planned.