Bremen Organization Recognizes Otis Bowen
BREMEN—One hundred years ago on Feb. 26, Otis R. Bowen was born in Fulton County. No one knew what the future held for him.
Now, every Feb. 26 is known as “Doc Bowen Day.” It was declared “Doc Bowen Day” in 2014 by the town of Bremen to honor the memory of the late Dr. Otis R. Bowen, Indiana Governor from 1973 to 1981 and Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Ronald Reagan from 1985 to 1989.
Although Bowen passed away five years ago, the tradition will continue so that future generations will always know of him and his accomplishments.
Bremen Community Cares is proud to announce another celebration of “Bowen Days” this month in Bremen. At noon on what would’ve been Bowen’s 100th birthday, at least three churches will toll 100 times. The churches include Bremen United Methodist Church, the old St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and the First United Church of Christ.
A special birthday party lunch will be held at the Community Hospital of Bremen on Friday, Feb. 23. The hospital café menu will feature meatloaf, mashed potatoes and baked beans, Doc’s favorite meal, according to his wife, Carol. Free cookies, which Bowen preferred over cake, will be available while supplies last.
Flags will be flown in downtown Bremen the week of Feb. 20, along with a display of colored portraits by St. Paul’s Lutheran School and Bremen Elementary School students.
The green glasses posters in windows downtown are for awareness/recognition of the “holiday”; too. Bowen was well-known for his black framed glasses.
At noon on Feb. 26, the town’s proclamation (regarding the establishment of “Doc Bowen Day”) will be read aloud at the town hall.