Businesses' owner led school board

6/6/2006

ARLINGTON, Ohio - Kenneth R. Pfirsch, 79, a retired businessman and a past president of the Arlington school board, died Saturday in his home in Mount Dora, Fla. The family said they believe he died of a heart attack.

Mr. Pfirsch was the past owner and president of two Findlay businesses, Hancock Ready Mix and Tarbox-McCall Stone Co. He bought the former and built it up; he later purchased the latter and sold both in 1992.

"When he started the business, he had to collect bills on Friday to make payroll on Tuesday," son Matthew said, adding that Mr. Pfirsch began his career as a cement salesman. "It was a tough start to the business, but he built it up."

He served on the Arlington Board of Education from 1974 to 1977, and was its president in 1976. "I still remember getting my kiss and diploma from my daddy, who was president of the school board," daughter Barbara Bell said.

He later lived in Findlay.

Mr. Pfirsch graduated from Bucyrus (Ohio) High School in 1944, was drafted into the Army a year later, received an honorable discharge in 1946, then enrolled at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, graduating in 1951.

He was a former member of First Lutheran Church in Findlay and St. Paul's Lutheran Church near Jenera, Ohio. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Mount Dora.

A dedicated family man, Mr. Pfirsch never forgot the birthday of a child or grandchild, Mrs. Bell said. "He wasn't a touchy-feely person, but he loved you with all his heart," she said.

He married Jane Rieck in 1953. She died in 1987.

Surviving are his wife, Grace, whom he married in 1989; daughters, Barbara Ann Bell and Jennifer Lynn Young; son, Matthew; stepdaughter, Tina Clymer Washka; 10 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held today at the Allen J. Harden Funeral Home, Mount Dora. In Findlay, visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Coldren-Crates Funeral Home. Burial will be private. The family suggests tributes to the American Cancer Society or the Hospice of Lake and Sumter in Tavares, Fla.