“If you want to get something done, contact Max!”
Those words were used to describe Max Bowman who has been selected as the 2012 Elgin “Good Neighbor Award” recipient. Sponsored by The Elgin Review newspaper, the award is handed out annually to the man or woman who has given his/her talents to benefit the community without expectation of reward or recognition.
Bowman and his wife Goldie came to Elgin in March 1978. They purchased their home in Elgin back in 1987, the former Gladys Martin residence.
During their years in Elgin, Bowman worked for many years at the Farmers Cooperative Exchange where he drove a semi-grain truck until June 1999 when he ‘retired.’
Retirement doesn’t really seem to be in Bowman’s blood because he remains as busy today as he was back then.
For 10 years he has served as vice president on the West Cedar Valley Cemetery Board and continues to do so to this day. The board plays a pivotal role in maintaining the cemetery. Approximately one year ago, Bowman and other board members completed a major project, creating a sidewalk running east and west down to the war memorial monument.
If that wasn’t enough, he also serves as president of the Elgin Community Center Board of Directors. In the last few years the center, which hosts many events in addition to providing weekday meals to senior citizens, has received a ‘facelift’ on the inside. The improvements make the center one of the best in the area.
The Bowmans have three children, Eugene, Loren and Janice, all who graduated from Elgin Public School. The couple have seven grandchildren.
Last year’s recipient of the award was Connie Dvorak.
