COLUMBUS, OH -- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued the following statement regarding the announcement that former Congressman Dave Hobson has died:

"Today Fran and I are deeply saddened to learn of the death of our friend, former Congressman David Hobson.

"Dave and I worked closely together for many years. When I went from the Ohio Senate to Congress, he replaced me as a state senator and when I left Congress to become Ohio Lieutenant Governor he won my former seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. 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. He was a patriot and always wanted to do what was in America’s best interests.

"As a member of the Ohio Senate, Dave was chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services and Aging where he authored Ohio’s first comprehensive AIDS legislation and passed the first grant programs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

"As a member of Congress, Dave worked tirelessly for the citizens of his district and our country. Dave served in the Ohio Air National Guard and was passionate about our military and their family members, ensuring that they received the pay, housing, and health care they deserved. I remember talking with him about housing for our military families overseas. Dave didn’t like the conditions he had seen on a trip to visit our troops, and, in typical Dave Hobson fashion, he went back to Washington and went to work to ensure that conditions improved.

"Dave was an advocate for the Miami Valley region, including the National Guard Air Base in Springfield, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. The growth and success of both bases in the region are a tribute to his foresight and tenacity on behalf of his constituents and Ohio.

"Dave, in his retirement, continued to be an advocate for Springfield and all of his old district. That work continued up until his death.

"He brought compassion, practicality, and wisdom to everything he did. He was a true public servant for his district, the Miami Valley, and the state of Ohio.

"Dave was my friend -- an honorable, dedicated, and steadfast public servant. I always looked forward to hearing from Dave as he shared his advice and counsel, and luckily for me, that was a frequent occurrence!

"His wife Carolyn, who is his Ohio Wesleyan sweetheart and lifetime partner; their children Susan, Lynn and Doug and their spouses; and their fabulous grandchildren and great grandchildren brought immense joy to his life. Fran and I will miss him, and send our condolences to them and his entire family."