Bowen book will help 4th graders learn Indiana history
“We use the words, ‘We’ll never forget Doc Bowen.’ That’s easy to say, but how does a community do that? How do we pass on the story of Doc Bowen? How do we make sure every child in this community knows about Doc Bowen?”
R.T. Henke introduced the Bremen community to the mission behind the newly published “Otis R. Bowen: Farm Boy to Governor: A Life” by Sheila Reed.
The book is written at a fourth grade level to assist teachers and community members in passing on the legacy of Bowen. Henke explained that all local fourth graders take an Indiana history class, with
Bowen playing a role.
According to Reed, who has taught fourth graders in Bremen for 36 years, the vision for the book came from “Henke’s
desire to help kids ... learn about our hometown hero.”
Reed was not able to be present to give her speech, so she watched via Facebook
“The next Otis Bowen is a child growing up somewhere in Indiana right now.”
– Sheila Reed
Live as her daughter-in-law, Keri Reed, read it on her behalf.
She explained the difficulty in finding and adapting information about Bowen to relay to 10-year-old students. She wanted to highlight his humble yet adventurous life in a way that would speak to students.
At the core of the book’s message, Reed explained, is to instill in children the knowledge that they can achieve their goals.
“Kids need to see that greatness,” she said. “They need to see it comes in many forms and often has roots in ordinary life. The next Otis Bowen is a child growing up somewhere in Indiana right now.”
Bowen’s journey is captured in the book, and still fondly
remembered by those who knew him.
But those closest to him, including his family, know what this would mean to him.
“Dad would be embarrassed by this; he was always embarrassed by recognition,” said Rob Bowen. “But his story is a story about an honest man that came from humble beginnings that dedicated his life to service to others.”
Rob Bowen shared that Doc Bowen’s most prized thing in life was being a family physician, and the impact it made on the community of
Bremen.
“When he talked about having delivered approximately 3,000 babies in the community, you saw that special twinkle in his eye and the smile on his face,” Rob Bowen said. “He was very proud of that.”
From farm boy to governor to doctor and more, Rob Bowen sees the importance in relaying his father’s life to young minds in the community.
“Kids ... need to understand that no matter where they grow up, no matter what they do, that they can rise to whatever their aspirations are,” he said.
Copies of the book have been donated to all fourth grade classes, libraries and museums in Marshall County and surrounding areas.
Henke reported that with 22 schools and 12 libraries and museums in the area, Historic Bremen is donating around 90 total copies of the book.
Copies are also available to purchase through Historic Bremen.
Doc Bowen’s wife, Carol Bowen, shared her gratitude to Reed for her efforts in the book, to Henke for his drive in the project and to all others involved.
“And I want to thank the Bremen community for all their efforts to keep the legacy of Dr. Bowen going,” she said.
Publishing the book was made possible thanks to a grant provided by the Marshall County Community Foundation.