Lawrence Keith Bulen A Brief Summary of a Distinguished Career by Gordon K. Durnil Expanded Background Information 
Born in Madison County, Indiana, on New Year's Eve of 1926, L. Keith Bulen began his primary education in the depths of the Great Depression and graduated from Pendleton High School in 1944 at the height of World War II. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and launched a lengthy service to his nation.
Keith studied government and earned his Bachelors Degree in 1949 and Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1952, both from Indiana University, and he practiced law as the senior member of Bulen, Castor, Robinette & Nickels in Indianapolis. His progeny are daughters Leslie K., Lisa K., L. Kassee, and L. Kellee, along with granddaughters, Lawren K. Mills and Lindsey Kate Rodda.
For nearly a half century, Keith Bulen has served as a political and governmental leader. He was elected or appointed to serve at the block, precinct, ward, county, district, state, national, and international levels. As Marion County Republican Chairman, he brought not just victory, but openness, respect, fun and accountability to the Republican Party.
Keith Bulen cultivated the initial successes of a great statesman, Richard G. Lugar, and furthered the careers of such other great public servants as Bill Ruckelshaus, Bill Hudnut, John Mutz, and Bob Orr, while attracting a remarkably talented and diverse group of individuals to other positions in public service. He helped give birth to metropolitan government (Uni-Gov), brought attention and honor to Indianapolis, and took the management of campaigns for Congress, Governor and President to unprecedented levels or organization.
In the 1960's and 1970's, Keith provided the impetus for the revitalization of the Indiana Republican Party, but his true political legacy lies in the generations of leaders who were taught by a premier mentor to express their love of country and principle through a devotion to a vigorous two-party system and a free electoral process.
His successes were not limited to law and politics. President Ronald Reagan appointed Keith, and the U.S. Senate confirmed him, as a Commissioner of the International Joint Commission, a treaty organization tasked with resolving and preventing problems between the United States and Canada. In this role, Keith was praised for resolving a major boundary water dispute between the State of Washington and the Province of British Columbia.
Keith also achieved success as a horse owner and breeder. He led the Indiana Standard Bred Association and was inducted into their Hall of Fame. His world champion pacer, Abercrombie, was voted Harness Horse of the Year in 1978.
A man of honor, achievement, and versatility, L. Keith Bulen will always be remembered as one of Indiana's finest and most dedicated native sons. Keith Bulen died January 4, 1999 in Greenwood, Indiana.
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