Lieutenant Colonel Schow graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1978 and earned his Air Force Pilot Wings the year after.

He was a Top Gun Instructor, a United States Air Force Thunderbird Pilot, as well as an F-16 Squadron Commander. He flew 47 combat missions during the Persian Gulf War earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals.

Shortly after being hired by Southwest Airlines, he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that fewer than 100 people in the world have ever had - Ossifying Fibromixoid Tumor of the Soft Parts.

On July 28, 2002 at the age of 45, he passed away quietly in his home with family and friends present.

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