Deering Drive: Highway named after longtime local public servant

SANDUSKY — No matter the party affiliation or political subdivision, Fred Deering united many segments of people across Ohio during his 51-year public service career.Case in point: About 50 people, including Democrats and Republicans, came together Monday to show their appreciation for him and his cooperative nature.From family members to federal government representatives, several attended a posthumous ceremony at Sandusky City Hall to officially rename a portion of Ohio 4 as "The Rep. Frederick H. Deering Memorial Highway."State Rep. Michael Sheehy, D-Oregon, holds up a scaled-down version of a brown highway sign to mark the "The Rep. Frederick H. Deering Memorial Highway" during a city commission meeting in Sandusky City Hall on Monday, Aug. 28, 2017. The section of roadway named after Deering (1923-2010) spans from Crawford County to Bogart Road in Erie County.The thoroughfare named after Deering (1923-2010) spans from Ohio 98 in Crawford County to Bogart Road in Erie County, encompassing areas where he served as a state representative for 20 years.Deering, an Oxford Township native, worked in many different public organizations, namely as:• An Erie MetroParks commissioner for 13 years, developing its flagship property: Osborn MetroPark• An Erie County commissioner for 12 years, establishing the Erie Regional Planning, landfill and what's now known as the Erie-Ottawa International Airport• A Perkins school board member for nine years, creating a full 12-grade educational systemDaryl Deering, far right, addresses a crowd gathered at Sandusky City Hall for a posthumous ceremony to rename a portion of Ohio 4 as "The Rep. Frederick H. Deering Memorial Highway" on Monday, Aug. 28, 2017. Daryl, who is the son of Fred (1923-2010), stood beside many of Deering's family members. During the presentation, many spoke highly of Deering, a Democrat, including state Sen. Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green; and state Rep. Steve Arndt, R-Port Clinton, who cosponsored a state bill calling for this highway name change:• Gardner: This is an evening where you can spend hours talking about the greatness and his leadership. He was one of the most productive and effective legislators in Ohio history. I meant that, seriously. Even though he had strong opinions about a lot of things, he brought people across party lines. He was a great friend and a great leader.• Arndt: He truly was a statesman and a true leader, something that we sorely miss in today's environment. Fred knew how to reach across party lines.State Sen. Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, right, shares a personal moment with Daryl Deering at Sandusky City Hall, where a posthumous ceremony took place to rename a portion of Ohio 4 as "The Rep. Frederick H. Deering Memorial Highway" on Monday, Aug. 28, 2017. Daryl is the son of Fred (1923-2010). Perkins Township trustees Tim Coleman and Jim Lang also presented Deering's family with a proclamation."Fred was quite a gentleman, and I mean that in the truest sense of the word," said Coleman, who credited Deering with inspiring him to run for public office. "He is the epitome of a true leader."Sandusky city commissioners also presented a ceremonial plaque to Deering's family."Fred was a dear friend to so many folks in this room," Sandusky ex officio mayor Dennis Murray Jr. said. "He was both a leader and a friend and could be incredibly insightful."Family members, area politicians and other supporters of Fred Deering pose for a picture in Sandusky City Hall on Monday, Aug. 28, 2017. During Monday's Sandusky city commission meeting, a posthumous ceremony took place in honor of Deering (1923-2010) to officially rename a portion of Ohio 4 as "The Rep. Frederick H. Deering Memorial Highway."Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.