View photos of Richard “Dick” Holzberger through the years at www.journal-news.com
Don Ryan, who served with former Butler County Sheriff Richard “Dick” Holzberger on Hamilton City Council and also owns a neighboring business to Holzberger’s former convenient store, remembers him as somebody who cared deeply about Hamilton and the community’s underdogs.
Ryan, who owns Ryan’s Tavern next to Holzberger Convenience Store, spoke with Holzberger just the other day while delivering paperwork to the tavern.
“He was walking into his store, and we always ask each other, ‘How you doin’?’” Ryan said. “He said, ‘Hangin’ in there.’ I said, ‘That’s what I’m doing.’ He said, ‘Well, let’s take care, let’s give it another day.’”
Holzberger’s message, Ryan said, was: “We’re going to get through this day; we’re going to wake up, tomorrow will be a better day.’ He was always positive that way.”
Holzberger, 70, died Sunday after suffering a massive stroke. On Dec. 30, Holzberger closed his business on High Street after 17 years in business.
“I worked closely with him for probably six or eight years,” on the city council, Ryan said. “He’s a nice guy, and he cared so much about the city. And he cared so much about the people who lived here.”
“On city council, he always fought for those who he felt were underprivileged, and also he was able to look to the future to try to manage the city’s finances in a way that satisfied our expenses and our revenues,” Ryan said. “But he always fought for those who were in need. He just cared about people.”
At the convenient store, Ryan estimates, “He’s probably given away more at that store than he’s made, because he’s just kind-hearted that way. He’s going to be missed because of his caring attitude.”
Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones described Holzberger as “one of the kindest guys I ever met.”
“He’d give the shirt off his back to you. It didn’t matter if you were born wealthy, you were a wealthy businessman, or if you were just someone living on the street or sleeping under a bridge — he treated everybody the same,” said Jones, who spoke with his predecessor almost weekly.
Jones once carried his grandson, Blake Buschelman, into Holzberger’s shop, and asked the lad, “Tell Holzberger who’s the best sheriff in the whole world — and I expected him to point to me,” Jones said. “And he pointed to Dick Holzberger. So Dick always told me, ‘Hey, even your grandson knows who the best sheriff in the world is.’”
The lifelong Hamilton resident also served as a Hamilton police officer and a member of the city council.
The Hamilton Police Department on its Facebook page noted Holzberger was with the department from Sept. 7, 1968, until he resigned Nov. 23, 1988. The department called him a Hamilton icon, and a brother. Holzberger “remained involved with his brothers, often coming to swearing-in ceremonies, retirements, promotions, and other events to show his support for the next generation of officers. He will be deeply missed,” the department wrote.
Information regarding funeral arrangements was not available Monday.
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