“To us, he was a husband and a dad, but he played countless other roles of which we’ve been reminded: a leader, a problem solver, a counselor, a business partner, a friend — the list goes on. Even in our sadness we have laughed hearing old stories, and it has reminded us all over again why so many people loved him. We miss him desperately but are also grateful that he’s at peace.”
Hobson, a Republican, represented what was once called the 7th Congressional District in the Springfield area in the U.S. House of Representatives and in the Ohio Senate for nearly three decades.
Born in Cincinnati, Hobson was appointed to the Ohio Senate in December 1982, replacing now-Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who’d been elected to the U.S. House. In 1990 Hobson was elected to the U.S. House, filling the seat vacated by DeWine when he became lieutenant governor. Hobson served in Congress until January 3, 2009.
DeWine said he and his wife Fran were deeply saddened by the death of their friend who DeWine called an advocate for Springfield and the whole region.
“He was extremely effective in each position, achieving tangible results for his district and the country. Dave worked well with everyone and both Democrats and Republicans appreciated his good judgement and ability to reach common ground,” DeWine said. “He was a patriot and always wanted to do what was in America’s best interests.”
Pat Tiberi, president and CEO of the Ohio Business Roundtable, got to know Hobson when they were both in Congress.
“He was a mentor and a friend. He was one of a kind. I think of Dave as a statesman,” Tiberi said on Monday. “He cared deeply about our country, he cared deeply about our state and his district in Springfield. “
Tiberi said Hobson was dedicated to helping people and communities.
“His commitment to public service was spectacular to watch,” said Tiberi, a Republican who previously represented the Columbus area.
Hobson was hugely involved in funding for improving Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, including research and development programs and military housing, as well as the Springfield Air National Guard Base and the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.
“He was a passionate advocate for the Springfield Air National Guard Base and twice defeated efforts to close it,” said Scott Milburn, Hobson’s former congressional press secretary and a spokesman for the family. “And it’s still open today thanks to those efforts.”
Former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-West Chester Twp., called Hobson “a great colleague, a great friend and a great Ohioan.”
“He accomplished much during his time in public service for his constituents, for the Buckeye State, and for the men and women of our armed services,” Boehner said in a statement released Monday. ”I loved serving with him. He will be greatly missed and long remembered. My deepest condolences to Carolyn and all of Dave’s family.”
Former Ohio Gov. John Kaisch, a Republican who served in Congress with Hobson, said he was like “an older brother and guide for me during some intense times in Washington,” according to a post on X Monday.
“The work we did together gave us an opportunity to become dear friends,” Kasich said. “Dave Hobson was a great man and I will miss him.”
Additional details regarding services are pending.
Coming Sunday: We look at the impact the late U.S. Rep. Dave Hobson had during his nearly three decades in Congress and the Ohio Senate.
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