Former Indiana Governor Otis Bowen, sometimes known as “Doc,” died in a nursing home in Donaldson, Indiana at the age of 95 from unspecified causes.
As Governor, Bowen served for two terms, from 1973 to 1981. He also served as Secretary of Health and Human Services from 1985 to 1989 under Reagan. He also served as Speaker of the House after being elected to the Indiana House of Representatives.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence released a statement saying, “Governor Otis R. Bowen’s contributions to the life of this state and nation are incalculable, and I mark his passing with a sense of personal loss. His story is as inspiring as it is uniquely Hoosier.”
Here’s a report from IndianaNewsCenter.com:
Bowen was born in Rochester, Indiana, and began is career as an intern at Memorial Hospital in South Bend in 1942. He went on to serve in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army in World War II. He set up his own practice in Bremen, which lasted until ’72.
Bowen is survived by a wife, children and grandchildren.