[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1133-E1134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        DAVID L. HOBSON OBITUARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 13, 2024

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, David Lee Hobson passed away on Sunday, 
October 6, 2024, at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio after a brief 
illness.

[[Page E1134]]

  Born on October 17, 1936, in Cincinnati to Winton Lee Hobson and 
Florence Todd Hobson, Dave grew up with his sisters, Martha and Susan. 
His father worked for the U.S. Postal Service and died when Dave was in 
the eighth grade. He and his sisters were raised in the Bond Hill 
neighborhood of Cincinnati by his mother, an elementary school teacher, 
and her sister-in-law. He graduated from Withrow High School in 
Cincinnati, Ohio Wesleyan University and The Ohio State University 
College of Law.
  He met the love of his life, Carolyn, at Ohio Wesleyan and, after 
marrying on December 20, 1958, they were inseparable throughout their 
65 plus years together. Their marriage blessed them with three children 
whom they raised in Springfield, Ohio.
  Dave served in the Air National Guard and was called up to active 
duty during the Berlin Wall Crisis. In 1965, he moved his family to 
Springfield, Ohio to work at the Kissell Company and later for several 
commercial real estate companies in association with Howard Noonan and 
Martin Levine, who served as mentors throughout his life. He was a 
member of Rotary International, a 33rd Degree Mason, and remained 
active in his college fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon--all experiences 
that instilled in him a compassion to help others and the value of 
community service.
  At the age of 46, Dave brought his business acumen, developed in 
commercial real estate and his commitment to community involvement to 
the Ohio Senate where he served for eight years. During his service, 
his peers elected him to the leadership positions of Majority Whip and 
President Pro Tempore.
  In the Ohio Senate, his work focused on health and human services. He 
led the effort to enact the first state law in the nation to provide 
support to people diagnosed and living with HIV and AIDS, helped 
increase state resources for Alzheimer's Disease and spearheaded 
reforms to the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. In 1990, 
Dave was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he 
represented Ohio's 7th Congressional District until his retirement in 
2009. During his nine terms in Congress, he gained a reputation as a 
pragmatic and bipartisan lawmaker, committed to fiscal responsibility 
and a strong national defense. He served as the second-ranking member 
of the House Budget Committee and helped lead efforts in 1998 to 
balance the federal budget for the first time since 1969. He also 
served as a key member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, 
where he chaired the Military Construction and Energy and Water 
Development subcommittees. In these positions Dave championed 
improvements in housing for military personnel and their families 
around the world, improved technology for members of the Armed Forces 
and led new investments in commercial and recreational waterways, the 
Florida Everglades restoration and natural resources conservation 
across the country.
  Some of Dave's most notable achievements were on behalf of 
Springfield Air National Guard Base, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 
Dayton, NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and the Ohio Western 
Reserve National Cemetery. His leadership also helped establish the D-
Day Visitors Center at the American Cemetery in Normandy, France, and 
in recognition of these and other contributions, Dave was inducted into 
the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame and the Dayton Region's Walk of Fame. 
Additionally, Wright-Patterson AFB named a street ``Hobson Way'' in his 
honor, Clark State College named its Beavercreek center ``Dave Hobson 
Hall'' and several universities bestowed him honorary degrees.
  Beyond his legislative accomplishments, Dave was known for his 
humility, integrity, and kindness, all of which he expressed in his 
careful dedication and attention to constituent service and being 
accessible to the people of his district.
  Dave is survived by his beloved wife, Carolyn (Alexander) of 65 
years, 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 loving nephew and nieces. 
A memorial service celebrating Dave's life and legacy will be held on 
Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 11:00 am at High Street United Methodist 
Church, 230 East High Street, Springfield, Ohio. The service was live-
streamed on the High St. United Methodist Church's You Tube channel.
  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The 
Springfield Foundation, c/o the Dave and Carolyn Hobson Charitable 
Fund, 333 N. Limestone Street, Suite 201, Springfield, OH 45503-4250, 
<a href='http://www.springfieldfoundation.org.
'>www.springfieldfoundation.org.
</a> In honor of Dave's life, the family hopes that you will be inspired 
to carry forth his mission of helping people and bringing together 
others for positive solutions for all.

                          ____________________