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

02 14 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. WDT

1958

03 11 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. WDT

1959

02 27 Ralph W. McDonald, president of Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, O., has highly commended the work a former Watertown resident, Dr. L. W. Nowack, has done since joining the faculty staff of the institution last year. Dr. Nowack gave up his practice here to become associated with the university and he and his family moved to Bowling Green where they are now residing. Dr. Nowack's father is Watertown's commissioner of health, Dr. L. H. Nowack. WDT

1983

08 22 Dr. Louis W. Nowack resigned as city health commissioner; will continue as medical director of Marquardt WDT

1984

08 06 Dr. Louis W. Nowack, longtime Watertown physician who currently serves as medical director of Marquardt Memorial Manor, has been named winner of the downtown Main Street bridge naming contest. Nowack was nominated for his work in the community and the many hours of caring for residents and employees at Marquardt, will receive the award in a ceremony at 8:15 tonight at the Riverside Park bandshell. WDT

2001

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. WDT