Otis R. Bowen

Lester D. Bibler Professor Emeritus of Family Medicine

Indiana University, Indianapolis

Dr. Bowen was born February 26, 1918 and graduated from high school at Francesville, Indiana in 1935. He completed his A.B. in 1939 and M.D. in 1942 from Indiana University. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from IU in 1976, one of a total of 29 such honorary degrees.

After serving in the Pacific Theater (1943-46) during World War II, he was a practicing physician in Bremen, Indiana until 1976. Bowen also served as Marshall County Coroner from 1952-56.

Dr. Bowen was State Representative, 1957-58, 1961-72; Minority Leader, 1965-66; Speaker of the House, 1967-72 and Governor of the State of Indiana, 1973-81. From 1981-85, he was Professor of Family Medicine at IU. He was chairman, Advisory Commission on Social Security, 1982-84, Secretary of Health and Human Services (appointed by President Reagan), 1985-89; Citizen Fellow, Institute of Advanced Studies, IU, 1989-91 and 1994-1995. He also served on numerous other federal commissions. During 1978-79, Bowen was Chairman of the National Governor's Conference, Republican Governor's Conference, and the Midwestern Governor's Conference. In 1999, he was presented with the College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award.

Dr. Bowen is presently retired in Bremen, Indiana.

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