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==Background==
==Background==
Bowen was born in [[New Orleans]] to Joseph F. Bowen and the former Hazel McNulty. He served in the [[United States Army]] Air Corps during [[World War II]]. On his discharge in November 1945, he relocated to Lafayette to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (then Southwestern Louisiana Institute). He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in [[music]] in 1948. He later received a [[Master of Arts]]" degree from [[Columbia University]] in [[New York City]]. He taught in the Lafayette Parish school system for eleven years and was known for his direction of choral organizations throughout his life. His passion for music, for instance, led him in the 1980s to organize a community singing group called "The Soundwaves."
Bowen was born in [[New Orleans]] to Joseph F. Bowen and the former Hazel McNulty. He served in the [[United States Army]] Air Corps during [[World War II]]. On his discharge in November 1945, he relocated to Lafayette to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (then Southwestern Louisiana Institute). He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in [[music]] in 1948. He later received a [[Master of Arts]] degree from [[Columbia University]] in [[New York City]]. He taught in the Lafayette Parish school system for eleven years and was known for his direction of choral organizations throughout his life. His passion for music, for instance, led him in the 1980s to organize a community singing group called "The Soundwaves."
From 1955 to 1961, Bowen was executive vice president of the Greater Lafayette [[Chamber of Commerce]]. In 1961, with a large family to support, he joined Robert Angers, then publisher of the ''Franklin Banner-Tribune'' of Franklin in St. Mary Parish, in the opening of their own advertising firm, Angers, Bowen and Associates. Angers sold out his interest in the company to Bowen in 1962.
From 1955 to 1961, Bowen was executive vice president of the Greater Lafayette [[Chamber of Commerce]]. In 1961, with a large family to support, he joined Robert Angers, then publisher of the ''Franklin Banner-Tribune'' of Franklin in St. Mary Parish, in the opening of their own advertising firm, Angers, Bowen and Associates. Angers sold out his interest in the company to Bowen in 1962.
Bowen was once awarded the French Legion of Merit for his work in promoting the use of the [[France|French]] language in Louisiana.
Bowen was once awarded the French Legion of Merit for his work in promoting the use of the [[France|French]] language in Louisiana.
==Three Democratic mayoral terms==
==Three Democratic mayoral terms==