Indiana’s first governor to serve two consecutive terms has passed away. Former Gov. Dr. “Doc” Otis Ray Bowen died Saturday, May 4, at Catherine Kasper Life Center in Donaldson, Ind. He was 95.

“Doc” Bowen was a graduate of Francesville High School and went on to receive his A.B. in 1939 and M.D. in 1942 from Indiana University.

In 1943, Doc signed up for the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army. He was with the first wave of troops in the invasion of Okinawa and was honorably discharged as a Captain in 1946. After returning from the war, he started his own medical practice in Bremen.

In a statement issued Sunday, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said, “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.”

Known by many as “Doc,” Bowen operated a medical practice in Bremen when he was elected Marshall County coroner in 1952. It was the start of his political rising career which, in 1973, would earn him the title of a wildly popular Republican governor. The first governor, in fact, elected to two consecutive terms.

In 1985, Bowen became secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and took charge of the federal government’s response to the spread of AIDS after the Reagan administration had been criticized by activists for a slow initial response.

Bowen was an advocate of public awareness often leading the charge to make people aware of the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases. He even worked with Surgeon General C. Everett Koop to mail out 107 million medical pamphlets with advice on how to avoid the AIDS virus and the importance of using condoms.

The Bowen Center, named for the former governor, also issued a statement saying, “We, the staff of The Bowen Center in Northern Indiana, are deeply saddened by our loss.

“On June 15th, 1977, The Bowen Center was named after Dr. Otis R. Bowen to recognize both his vibrant support of community mental health, and our close proximity to his home area of Bremen, Ind. The staff, administration and Board of Directors of The Bowen Center are very proud to still wear his name as a ‘signature of excellence’ in all that we do and continue to represent.

“Dr. Bowen will be deeply missed by the staff of The Bowen Center, but we will continue to serve others in light of what Dr. Bowen demonstrated throughout his stellar life, observed by the state, country, friends, and family each day. We will miss you, Doc.”

It was in Bremen where Doc and his first wife, Elizabeth Ann, lived and raised their four children. In addition to practicing medicine and serving as Marshall County coroner, Doc also made a mark in Republican Party politics.

In 1956, he was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives. He lost a re-election bid to the House by four votes in 1958, but was elected to seven consecutive House terms beginning in 1960. He became Minority Leader in 1965 and Speaker in 1967. He served as Speaker through four legislative sessions (1967, 1969, 1971, and 1972).

After unsuccessfully seeking the Republican nomination for governor in 1968, he was elected as the 44th Governor of the state of Indiana in 1972. That same year, voters ratified a Constitutional Amendment allowing governors to serve consecutive terms. Four years later, he became the first governor to serve two consecutive four-year terms when he won re-election.

Doc Bowen was governor from Jan. 8, 1973, through Jan. 12, 1981. After leaving office, he taught as a clinical professor of family medicine at Indiana University.

Doc continued to teach at Indiana University until President Ronald Reagan appointed him Secretary of Health and Human Services. Quickly confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he served in the cabinet until President Reagan left office on Jan. 20, 1989. He then retired to his home town of Bremen.

Of all the awards and accolades Doc Bowen received, he was most proud of the 3,000 plus babies he delivered in Marshall County.

Doc Bowen’s obituary can be seen HERE.