Samuel Gerhardstein Obituary

Samuel Gerhardstein

Jan 6, 1956 - Feb 12, 2024

Venice, FL formerly of Bellevue

Samuel E. "Sam" Gerhardstein, 68, of Venice, Florida, died Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, following a stroke and a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Sam was born Jan. 6, 1956, in Bellevue. He attended Immaculate Conception School, Bellevue, and graduated from Bellevue High School in 1974, the year in which he also set the school record in the high jump and was elected as Bellevue's first Student Mayor.

He served honorably in U.S. Air Force (1974-1978) with most of his enlistment at Spangdahlem Air Base, West Germany. His military awards included Good Conduct Medal and Expert Marksman Ribbon.

Sam attended Bowling Green State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1982, with a Political Science major and Economics minor, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration in 1987.

His career path began with an internship in the Ohio Senate and later as Legislative Aide to then-Senator Paul Gillmor of Old Fort. He later held roles at Davis Besse Nuclear Power Station (1987-1991), Ohio Department of Administrative Services, and Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (1993-1995). He joined Columbia Gas (later absorbed by Nisource) in 1995 and served as Director of Governmental Affairs from 1996 until he retired in 2015. He considered the enactment of HB 95 in 2010, which fundamentally reordered Ohio's natural gas regulatory scheme, as his greatest professional achievement.

He was a member of Ohio Lobbying Association; American Legion Post 46 in Bellevue, Elks Lodge 1013 in Bellevue and American Mensa, Ltd.

Sam had a life-long love of Lake Erie and was an avid fisherman, golfer, and crossword solver. He traveled extensively during his life, having been to 40 U.S. states, 19 foreign countries, and Puerto Rico. He always felt connected to his Bellevue roots, the family farm, and his eight siblings.

He is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy Liggett-Pelanda of Venice, Florida; daughters, Natalie (Duncan) Gerhardstein of Luxembourg and Sonja (Brandon) Gerhardstein of Columbus; grandchildren, Beatrice, Henry, and Alice; sisters, Linda Oatley of Nashville, Tennessee, Diane (Bruce) Yingling of Simms, Texas, Toni (Chris) Walters of Bellevue, and Laura (Jim) Tebeau of Vickery; brother, Thomas (Jackie) Gerhardstein of Bellevue; countless nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends; and loyal Bernese mini, Heidi.

Sam was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents, Rodger A. Gerhardstein Sr. in 1985 and Irene M. Gerhardstein in 2017; brother, Rodger A. Gerhardstein Jr. in 1995; sister, Lizabeth (Bill) Young in 2017; sister, Mary K. (David) Schlessman in 2023; and sister-in-law, Debra (Thomas) Gerhardstein in 1994.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. Saturday, March 2, 2024, until the time of a brief veterans ceremony at 4 p.m. at Foos & Foos Funeral Service, 151 Yorkshire Place, Bellevue.

Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to Immaculate Conception School Tuition Fund in Bellevue (www.icbellevue.org/support-ics).