Otis R. Bowen

Otis Ray Bowen ( born February 26, 1918, as Rochester, Indiana; † May 4, 2013 in Donaldson, Indiana ) was an American politician. He was 1973-1981, the 44th Governor of Indiana from 1985 to 1989 and U.S. health care ministers.

Early years

Bowen studied until 1942 at the Indiana University chemistry and medicine. After an internship in South Bend Memorial Hospital, he joined in 1943 in connection with the events of World War II in the U.S. Army and served in a medical unit in the Pacific. After his military service, he settled as a physician in Bremen ( Indiana). For four years he was medical examiner ( coroner ) in Marshall County.

Bowen was a member of the Republican Party. Between 1957 and 1958, and again from 1961 to 1973 he was a delegate in the House of Representatives from Indiana. Since 1967 he was president of that body. Bowen already applied in 1968 to the office of governor, but his candidacy failed at that time already in the primaries of his own party. Four years later he was elected as a candidate of his party but the new governor, where he prevailed with 56.8 percent of the vote against former Democratic incumbent Matthew E. Welsh.

Governor of Indiana

Bowen took up his new post on January 9, 1973. After an unchallenged re-election in 1976 he was able to exercise it a total of eight years. This re-election was made possible by a 1972 constitutional amendment entered into force, after which it was the governors of Indiana Allowed now to complete two related terms. During this time, a tax reform was carried out in Indiana. Among other things, the property tax was reduced, but increased the VAT. Due to its origin, it is not surprising that he campaigned for the improvement of medical services in the state of Indiana. Otis Bowen was a member of several associations Governor and curator of the Valparaiso University.

Another Journey

After the end of his term Bowen lectured at Indiana University. Between 1985 and 1989 he was a U.S. health care ministers in the Cabinet of President Ronald Reagan. Last Bowen lived in retirement in his hometown of Bremen ( Indiana). On 4 May 2013, died at the age of 95 years.