OBERLIN – Several people shared memories Saturday as the bike path that stretches from Kipton to Elyria was dedicated in honor of longtime politician Don Pease at the Oberlin Depot.

“It’s wonderful,” said Pease’s widow, Jeanne. “Don would have loved being here.”

Oberlin City Councilwoman Sharon Soucy spearheaded the effort to honor Pease, a politician for nearly three decades, who was also a lifelong cyclist.

“Don loved to ride the bike trail, and that’s why we thought it would be appropriate to memorialize him in this way,” Soucy said.

Several dozen people watched the ceremony and many shared memories of Pease, who served on Oberlin City Council, served 10 years in Ohio government and served 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. Pease was respected and beloved – especially in the town he and his family called home.

“How could I not be here?” asked U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown. “Don was such a great role model to me and others. Of course Connie (Schultz, Brown’s wife) and I wanted to be here.”

Many others spoke of Pease as a mentor, a teacher and a man of values.

“He was a man who never compromised his principles. … That’s always been a rare thing in politics,” Brown said. “I just want to be here today to honor Don Pease. His beacon still shines brightly.”

Others shared memories of Pease’s penchant for driving at night with the car dome light on as he reviewed index cards, his insistence after an election that all his signs be taken down so they didn’t tarnish the environment and the time that he spent with everyone from high school students to aspiring politicians who sought his advice.

“It’s just been a wonderful day for me and for memories of Don,” Jeanne Pease said.

A rock with a memorial plaque was unveiled and the Oberlin High School Band finished the event with a few songs.

The plaque chronicles Pease’s years as a public servant and ends with, “We remember Don Pease – a politician and a noble man.”

Contact Alicia Castelli at 329-7144 or acastelli@chroniclet.com.

---

Print this story
Report an inappropriate comment

---

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.

Need help? Email Us.

---