Dwight Wise Jr.

1930 - 2020

(News story) FREMONT - Dwight Wise, Jr., a politically conscious Sandusky County farmer, as his father had been, whose dozen years as a state representative followed his long tenure on the local school board, died Dec. 22, in ProMedica Memorial Hospital, Fremont. He was 90.

He'd been in declining health, said his daughter Sandra Wise.

Mr. Wise won election as a state representative in 1982 - a Democrat in a largely Republican district - by defeating an opponent who had successfully challenged incumbent Gene Damschroder in the Republican primary.

"It was a matter of timing [and] opportunity," said Roger Wise, a nephew, who made two unsuccessful runs to succeed his uncle.

Mr. Wise had been a longtime farmer, and the combination of low prices and high debt forcing farmers off their land in the 1980s put rural concerns in the forefront. And when his opponent, a lawyer, defeated the incumbent, he created an open seat - which attracted the interest of Vern Riffe, the Democratic speaker of the Ohio House.

"Mr. Speaker spent a lot of money on Dwight, and it was very competitive," said Roger Wise, a past president of the Ohio Farmers Union.

Mr. Wise served on the agriculture and natural resources committee and in time became chairman. As he sought his sixth term in 1992, he touted economic development grants that flowed into the district and created manufacturing jobs in Fostoria and Bellevue - and his ability to work with then-Gov. George Voinovich, a Republican.

"We got five bills passed last session," he told The Blade in 1992, "everything from placing fees on deep-injection hazardous waste wells so EPA can keep an eye on them, to getting the state to turn over White Star Park in Gibsonburg to the Sandusky County park district."

His nephew said: "He was really close to the people in Sandusky and Seneca counties. He was very involved in the community and understood how the process worked and knew people on the street."

Mr. Wise wouldn't hesitate to make more than one round trip in a day to Columbus, if he needed to attend an event in the district. His campaign signs emphasized, "our FULLTIME state representative," because, he told The Blade in 1992, "I approach it as a full-time job, and the people of this district know that."

Mr. Wise was unsuccessfully challenged in 1984 and 1986 by Gene Damschroder and then in 1990 and 1992 by the former state representative's son Rex Damschroder.

The 1994 contest between Mr. Wise and the younger Mr. Damschroder drew attention and resources from outside the district. Then-U.S. House majority leader, Rep. Richard Gephardt (D., Mo.) visited the district to campaign for Mr. Wise while on a trip to Toledo. Marilyn Quayle, wife of the former vice president, Dan Quayle, visited the district for Mr. Damschroder.

Mr. Damschroder won the race. In defeat, Mr. Wise wrote a letter to The Blade Readers' Forum, in which he said representing the district "has been a rewarding and gratifying experience. ... I wish only success in the coming years for the 89th district. It is truly one of the best places in America to live."

More than a decade later, Mr. Wise wrote a column and then a letter, both in the Pages of Opinion, to oppose the state granting permits to megadairy operations, citing water quality concerns.

Mr. Wise's father, posthumously inducted into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame, was a farmer who served on agriculture-related and soil conservation boards - and a Democrat.

"My dad grew up in a very politically oriented family," his daughter said. "We believed in the tenets of the Democratic Party."

Mr. Wise served on the Lakota Board of Education for 18 years, was an advocate for the founding of Vanguard Vocational School and served on its board, and was a charter trustee of what is now Terra Community College.

He was born Sept. 27, 1930, to Mildred and Dwight Wise, Sr., and was a 1948 graduate of the former Jackson Burgoon High School. He attended Bowling Green State University.

He, his father, and his brother Charles for a time farmed 850 acres, largely in Jackson Township, and had dairy and beef cattle. He later concentrated on growing grain and raising beef cattle.

He and his wife, Darlene, visited every state in their extensive travels.

"Not only did they love their district, they loved their country," their daughter said.

He was a member of First United Church of Christ, Fremont, and of the Fremont Kiwanis Club.

He and the former Darlene Nau married March 4, 1951. She died Jan. 23, 2012.

Surviving are his daughters Sandra Wise and Gail Marshall; son, Geary Wise; sister, Sue Harner; seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Burial will be private. The family plans to hold a celebration of life when conditions are safe.

Arrangements are by Hanneman-Chudzinski-Keller Funeral Home, Fremont.

The family suggests tributes to Sandusky County Habitat for Humanity or the Alzheimer's Association.

This is a news story by Mark Zaborney. Contact him at mzaborney@theblade.com or 419-724-6182.