Immediately after graduating from high school, Schowalter enlisted in the United States Navy for service in World War II.
Schowalter was active in local affairs as a member of the American Legion, the Catholic church community, and chamber of commerce.
Schowalter entered the race for the Republican Party nomination in the district, which then comprised just his native Ozaukee County.
[4] He was re-elected in 1970,[5] and was regarded as a promising new member of the Republican conference,[6] but he announced in 1972 that his employer, Square D, was transferring him out of state.
[7] Shortly after the end of the 1971 legislative session, he relocated to Knightdale, North Carolina, where he resided for ten years.