Paul Clifton Fowler

PAUL CLIFTON FOWLER, died at Westminster Village in Terre Haute, IN on February 8, 2017, one day shy of his 95th birthday. He was born February 9, 1922 in Hastings, Nebraska to Thomas and Esther Fowler.

He is survived by his daughters Mary Pickens (Gary) and Barbara Fowler; grandchildren Emily Pickens (Matthew Thornton), Megan Pickens (John Laroe), Luke Bauer (Cathy), Matthew Bauer, Ruby Simmons, and Jesse Simmons.

He was preceded in death by Alice Swaim Fowler, his wife and best friend for 63 years; a daughter, Elizabeth Fowler Simmons, his brother John, and his parents.

Immediately after earning a B.A. in Education at Chadron State Teacher's College in 1943, he was called to active service in the US Navy. After mid-shipman school, he received the rank of ensign and was assigned to the USS Antares, stationed in the South Pacific. He was later transferred to the USS Naos, also in the South Pacific. In 1946, the USS Naos returned to Hawaii where Paul was released to inactive service with an honorable discharge.

Paul earned his M.A. in Social Science at the University of Colorado in 1947. He held different teaching positions and was married in 1949. He earned his PhD in Political Science and Economics from Indiana University in 1956. He began teaching at Indiana State University in 1959 earning the status of full professor. He served as Chairman of the Political Science department for approximately 11 years. He served on many committees during his tenure at ISU such as the ISU Faculty committee. He also served on State committees and was President and then Vice President of the Indiana Social Studies Association. He published many articles during his career. While on a six month sabbatical in the summer and fall of 1967, Paul traveled throughout Europe with his wife and three daughters to research, write and later publish an article on government owned industries in Europe.

Paul was an active member of Central Presbyterian Church. He loved spending time with his family, his grandchildren, and working in his basement wood shop, where he enjoyed fixing or creating things out of wood. When Paul and Alice were not traveling throughout the US and Europe, they spent over 30 of their summers relaxing at their cabin in Maine. Both he and his wife were avid readers. They also enjoyed nature and bird watching. Paul rarely, if ever, said a negative word about another. He did not talk his faith; he lived his faith in every area of his life.

In October 2009, Paul and Alice moved to Westminster Village, leaving the home they had built and lived in for over 50 years.

The family kindly suggests that if friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Peace Home, 2076 St. Anthony Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 who took such loving care of Elizabeth in her final weeks; or Open Arms, 2500 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404, who provided nutritious meals for Elizabeth throughout her illness.