This file portion of www.watertownhistory.org website
Dr.
Louis (Louie) W. Nowack
1913-2001
519 East
Main Street
WHS_006_075b
c1957
WHS_005_289
1975
1958
Watertown Daily Times, 02
14 1958
Dr. L. W. Nowack, with offices at 519
Main Street, announced today that he will leave the city on April 1 to go to
Bowling Green University at Bowling Green, Ohio. His family will remain here
until the schools close in June and then plans to join him in Ohio. Dr. Nowack
said that Dr. Raymond Doyle would take over his office here and that Mrs. Mary
Murphy, a registered nurse who is employed in Dr. Nowack's office, will remain.
Dr. Nowack at this time declined to enlarge on his future plans.
1958
Watertown Daily Times, 03
11 1958
Sunday evening, in expression of
their appreciation for the services rendered to them and to their families by
Dr. Louis W. Nowack, a group of about 124 individuals met at the Legion Green
Bowl to share in an “Auf Wiedersehen” dinner honoring the doctor. The event was arranged as a surprise to Dr.
and Mrs. Nowack. Maurice Lawton was the
master of ceremonies. Highlight of the
evening was a sketch entitled “This Is Your Life, Dr. Louis Willard Nowack.” The sketch, which was presented by Mrs. Peter
McFarland, expressed in behalf of the patients present, the feeling of esteem
and good fellowship each felt toward the doctor.
2001
Watertown Daily Times
Nowack was born July 11, 1913, in
Watertown, son of Dr. Louis and Clara (Hilgendorf) Nowack. He married the
former Esther Witzke on Oct. 17, 1945, in Watertown. She preceded him in death
on Feb. 8, 1993.
Nowack was a graduate of
Watertown High School, Northwestern University and Northwestern Medical School.
A physician and surgeon, he practiced in Watertown for 35 years.
Nowack was an Army flight surgeon
during World War 11 and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was called
to active duty in October 1940. He attended flight surgeon school at Randolph
Field and left for overseas in April 1943. He served with the 8th Air Force
Somber in England, and also served in France and Germany.
While in the military Dr. Nowack
was the subject of a lengthy feature story written by United Press
International. That article was titled "He never lost a man who came back
to his base alive," and was distributed to U.P. clients worldwide on June
29, 1944. The article detailed his incredible military successes of saving the
lives of soldiers injured in the war.
Nowack served as a flight surgeon
in combat and on reconnaissance missions. He coordinated military ambulances
and doctors meeting returning aircraft as well as directing ambulances and
doctors in the field. He devised, designed and implemented techniques to
prevent amputation of limbs of injured soldiers.
Among his many military
decorations were the Air Medal, Bronze Star, Soldiers Medal, Flight Surgeon
Wings, Lt. Colonel Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, Unit Presidential Citation, Theater
of Operations Medical and Theater of Operations - European Active Theater.
Nowack also served as Watertown
Commissioner of Health, director of the former Marine Bank Watertown, Johnson
Arms board of directors, Watertown Memorial Hospital board of directors and in
retirement served as medical director at Marquardt Memorial Manor.
Nowack received a citation on
Dec. 29, 1976, for his 35 years of selfless dedication and sacrifice
demonstrated while serving the Watertown community and its hospital. He received the Outstanding Community Leader
citation from the Jefferson County chapter of the Reserve Officer Association
on May 18, 1982. The Watertown Jaycees
honored him on April 7, 1970, for outstanding and unselfish medical service
during the previous 31 years. In 1958 he
received a citation from the Bowling Green State University football team. He had served at Bowling Green for several
years.
The Main Street bridge in
Watertown was renamed the Dr. L. W. Nowack Bridge on Aug. 18, 1984, during
Watertown River Days. The bridge naming for one year was in recognition of his
contributions to the city of Watertown.
On May 18, 1991, he received the
Madison Area Technical College Distinguished Service Citation for his
exceptional effort on behalf of the college.
He served as a grand marshal for
the annual Fourth of July parade and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship,
the highest award given by Rotary International.
He presented scholarships to more
than 20 local young people and established a fund to purchase medical equipment
for Watertown Memorial Hospital.
