“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 Columbus-area Republican.
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.”
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said Hobson worked with him to create the Western Reserve National Cemetery for Ohio veterans and made national security, aerospace and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base priorities.
“Dave Hobson embodied the best of Ohio, the state he loved and served his entire life,” said U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, “Whether in Congress or retirement, Dave always worked to deliver for his beloved Springfield, for the Miami Valley, and for Ohio, and he’d work with anyone, of either party, to get things done for our state.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, called Hobson “a man of immense character and integrity.”
“I saw first hand how much Dave loved Ohio and the Miami Valley during our time together in the House of Representatives,” Turner said in a news release. “Dave served in the Ohio Air National Guard and cared deeply about our service members and the safety and security of our country.”
Former U.S. Rep. Steve Austria. a Greene County Republican, said he and his wife, Eileen, knew Hobson for 40 years.
“I had the honor of following Dave Hobson in both the Ohio Senate and United States Congress. Eileen served as his legislative aide for four years in the Ohio Senate and then served as his district director for 18 years. Dave Hobson was a friend and mentor to us and represented his district with honor and hard work,” Austria said. “He will best be remembered in Columbus, Washington and at home for his ability to solve problems and make deals to deliver for the Springfield area, including Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Springfield Air National Guard base.”
Clark State College President Jo Alice Blondin also talked about Hobson’s impact even after retiring, calling him an “iconic leader.”
“While he was no longer serving in Congress when I came to Clark State in July 2013, Hobson was a trusted and incredibly knowledgeable community leader and resource who provided advocacy, perspective, and advice that positively impacted Clark State College and Clark County,” Blondin said. “Due to his leadership and vision, Clark State’s Greene Center was established in Beavercreek to better serve and extend Clark State’s educational reach to Greene County. His wisdom, kindness, and advocacy will truly be missed.”
DeWine ordered the U.S. and Ohio flags to be “lowered upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Champaign, Clark, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Logan, Perry, Pickaway, Ross, and Union counties, as well as the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower today until the day of his funeral. All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.”
He is survived by his wife Carolyn (Alexander), children Susan (Jeff) Nunner, Lynn (Jay) Foran and Doug (Stephanie) Hobson; grandchildren Katherine, Alexander (Summer) and Samuel Nunner, Whitney (Alex) Fagan, Jameson, Callan and Brennan Foran, and Evan Hobson; great-grandchildren Ryker, Declan and Finn Fagan, sisters Martha Lampe and Susan Hoerner, and a nephew and nieces.
The memorial service will be held on Nov. 2 at 11 a.m. at High Street United Methodist Church, 230 East High St., Springfield, according to his obituary published on the Littleton & Rue Funeral Home and Crematory website.
See our story on Hobson’s legacy here: Former Congressman Dave Hobson had huge impact on the Springfield-Dayton area
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