Joe Mowers simply shrugs and answers, “Why not?” The 41-year-old Springfield father walks a path filled with physical obstacles and emotional challenges. It is a path that led him to adopt two sons with Down syndrome. To open his home to 10 foster children, nine of whom suffered disabilities. To experience the joy of nursing a sickly foster daughter back to health, then to experience the pain of learning that she had died after she left his care.

For the high road he has taken, Mowers has been selected as this year’s Dayton Daily News “Father of the Year.”

The letter of nomination written by his wife, Julia, was chosen from more than 200 entries by a panel of judges including Eugene August, who teaches men’s studies at the University of Dayton, and local television anchors Carl Day (WKEF), Donna Jordan (WDTN) and Cheryl McHenry (WHIO).

“It was,” McHenry explained, “the one that made me cry.”

But when he is asked about the path he has taken, Joe Mowers does not mention the tears. He speaks only of the rewards.

“Somebody has to care for children who are less fortunate,” he said. “They didn’t ask to be put in their situation. They need a father and mother for loving just as much as ‘normal’ kids do. Doing it is a good feeling. It’s rewarding. I’m satisfied with my life.”

Julia Mowers’ letter also goes beyond the tears to tell a story of selflessness and courage.

“When I first met this man 10 years ago, I know he had no idea of what he would experience in the next 10 years as a husband and father,” she wrote. “Joe was aware of the fact that we probably would not be able to have children of our own. That meant, if we wanted to become parents, we would need to adopt.

“The adoption process is a long and frustrating one. On March 12, 2005, Adam arrived in the Mowers’ household. This tiny fragile baby was the most wonderful little boy Joe had ever seen. The fact that Adam was born with Down syndrome disappeared the first time Joe held him.

“Adam was not quite a month old when we first held him. A week after he arrived we found out that he had a hole in his heart and would need surgery. The waiting during surgery seemed like a lifetime. Again Joe proved to be the father that Adam needed and deserved.