Heidelberg remembers our congressman

He was many things to many people, and scores of adjectives have been used to describe the life and service of Congressman Paul E. Gillmor. Adjectives like honorable … decent …  grounded … committed … affable … respected … principled … brilliant … devoted … humble … unselfish … low-key.

To Heidelberg College, Congressman Gillmor was a great friend, benefactor and colleague. President Dottavio played a prominent role in the memorial service to celebrate the life of the man many knew as “Skip.” The president joined state and national legislators, friends and family members in paying tribute to Gillmor for his many contributions to the lives of his constituents and for his commitment to his family and his community – which guided his service.

 Gillmor, who represented Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District which includes Heidelberg, died Sept. 5 from injuries sustained in a fall in his Arlington, Va., home. On Tuesday (Sept. 11), political colleagues from both parties remembered his contributions in a formal service at the Statehouse in Columbus. The following day, several hundred friends and family members gathered at Camden Falls in Tiffin to honor him.

“Books could be written about all the great things he did,” President Dottavio said. “But more importantly, and quite simply, this was a man with an ego smaller than a grain of sand and a heart bigger than a mighty mountain.

“At his core he was a gentle, honorable and decent man who deeply loved his family, his friends, his staff, his community and his country.”

Gillmor served in the Ohio Senate from 1967-1998, serving as Republican leader from 1978-88. His tenure included three terms as Senate President, from 1981-82 and 1985-88. In 1982, he was elected to his first of nine consecutive terms in Congress, where he was serving as the Deputy Republican Whip at the time of his death. He also served on the Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Accounts, as chairman of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Economics and Security and Vice president, North America NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and the was the ranking Republican member of the Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.

The Gillmor family and Heidelberg have had a long and rich association. In recognition of his many contributions to the college, Heidelberg awarded him an honorary doctorate. As far back as the 1960s, in the early days of his four-decade political career, Congressman Gillmor was one of the first supporters of the mission of the Water Quality Lab, and helped the lab make contacts with state agencies. It was through his efforts that Congress voted to rename the lab the National Center for Water Quality Research, which ironically now occupies the third floor of Gillmor Science Center. “It is a magnificent structure of stone, steel and glass that will remind us for decades to come of the accomplishments of a truly eminent statesman,” President Dottavio said.

Congressman Gillmor was credited with helping to secure $5 million in federal funds that served as the foundation for fund-raising efforts for Gillmor Hall, the college’s newest facility which opened in 2005. A garden outside of Gillmor Hall is dedicated to the memory of the congressman’s father, P.M. Gillmor, a former trustee of the college. Paul Gillmor followed in his father’s footsteps in service as a trustee, and his wife, Karen, currently serves as a member of the board.

Many of those who spoke at the local service remarked that the congressman never lost touch with his Seneca County roots. Perhaps it is one of his greatest legacies, President Dottavio said.

“When all is said and done, it is the humble heart, gentle spirit and goodwill that he extended to all he met that will be his lasting legacy.”

Following the local service, a cortege carrying the congressman’s flag-draped coffin processed through Tiffin enroute to his final resting place in his native Old Fort. A local military honor guard helped line the route, as did supporters and friends bearing American flags and posters.

 
Posted 9-13-2007