Honoree: Everyone plays a part

Everyone has a part to play in bettering the place they live, according to Brad Bowman. His place — Cambridge City — honored him as its 2024 Citizen of the Year for his many activities in community betterment.

It didn’t take long for Bowman to realize he had been chosen when Beth Leisure, the 2023 recipient, started the presentation by saying this year’s honoree had been born on Nov. 9, 1961. His mouth opened in surprise as about 25 family members – including sister Amy Meyer, who lives in South Carolina – came into the Citizen of the Year banquet to help honor him. They had kept the award a secret from Bowman for two weeks.

Struggling to complete his sentences after receiving the plaque from the New Day Kiwanis Club, Bowman said he had been reflecting during the dinner about past recipients. He saw Charles “C.R.” Golay had been the first recipient, in 1961, the year of Bowman’s birth. 

He recalled going into Golay’s office on weekends with his grandma Inez Reynolds, Golay’s private secretary.

Seeing Golay’s name in the banquet program got him thinking about how much the Golay family has contributed to Cambridge City. Successful industrialist Golay and his wife, Marjorie Golay, both now deceased, are remembered as community benefactors, most notably building the Golay Community Center, a recreational facility where the meeting was conducted.

Bowman grew up in Cambridge City, becoming involved with the Wasson, Bowman and Thalls Insurance Agency more than 40 years ago. He credits Joe Wasson and his late father, Arden Bowman, for teaching him the insurance business. 

“I was very lucky to have learned some ethics from some of the best,” he said. He bought the company, now called Bowman and Thalls, in 2016.

He’s been married to his wife, Beth Bowman, for 38 years, and they have an adult son and two grandchildren. Retired from teaching, Beth directs the Community Choir and Brad sings in it. The choir also includes his mother, Jodi Johnson, 2006 Citizen of the Year.

Son Chad Bowman works with his father in the insurance agency. He had the task of assembling as many family members as possible to surprise Brad with their attendance. 

He listed some of Brad’s many activities: Master Mason at Cambridge City Lodge No. 5, where he is chaplain and a past master; Scottish Rite; Golay Center board; New Day Kiwanis Club; Cambridge City Chamber of Commerce; Wayne County Foundation board member and past president; Western Wayne Schools School Improvement Committee; Quality Deer Management/National Deer Association board member; Friends of the NRA board member.

He has worked concession stand duties and runs the clock and scoreboard at Lincoln football games. He is a Nettle Creek Church of the Brethren member and has been a board member for 30 years.

Chad recalled that Brad is often at work before or after business hours because of his involvement in community activities. 

In thanking all who came to see him receive the honor, Brad called forward his two grandchildren, Emma, age 9, and Boyd, 6.

Referring back to his reflection on C.R. Golay, he said that building a good community is the best thing people can do for their families. 

Hugging his two grandchildren to his sides, he said, “This is the most important thing.” 

After the meeting, Bowman elaborated. “There can be so many different ways for each of us, in our own little circle of friends, to make a difference. The older I’ve gotten, the more I see this. Each of those little circles combine to make a lot of difference.”

He hopes the New Day Kiwanis Club will continue recognizing a Citizen of the Year annually. It’s important for a community’s residents to encourage everyone to continue building a better place.