Elmore Mayor Rick Claar dies at age 66
ELMORE — Elmore Mayor Richard “Rick” Claar, 66, died at his residence Monday following a sudden illness.
According to Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, funeral arrangements for Claar are still pending at Elmore-Genoa Chapel, 19550 W. Ohio 51 in the village of Elmore.
In addition to having served as mayor since October 2019, Claar was also president of the Elmore Historical Society and active in many other ways throughout the Elmore and Woodmore Local Schools community as well as neighboring areas.
“It was a pleasure to work alongside Rick Claar these last two years,” said Genoa Mayor Thomas Bergman. “He always had good insights whenever we’d discuss local matters.”
Bergman said all of western Ottawa County lost a great advocate with his passing and extended condolences to Claar’s family, friends and community in Elmore.
According to Woodmore Local Schools, “Mr. Rick,” which he was always happy to have the students call him and return with a friendly smile, had a huge heart and used it every day to help kids.
His care for Woodmore and the whole community was described as “an unparalleled passion.”
“As a bus driver, recess aid or just working in the cafeteria, you could see his love for everyone all around,” said Woodville Police Chief Roy Whitehead.
Claar’s passion also extended to the history of the community, according to the Elmore Historical Society, as he sought ways to help the organization preserve it and make it more accessible to the public.
When another former Elmore Mayor, Lowell Krumnow, who had originally founded the local historical society, died in 2013, Claar “stepped up to fill the gap,” doing everything he could to make the Elmore community the best it could be.
During the pandemic, Claar even took time to participate in an online storytime, which kids could watch from home, with the Harris-Elmore Public Library, of which he was also an avid supporter.
Prior to stepping in as mayor, Claar had served 18 years as a village councilman.
He played an instrumental role in the wastewater treatment plant upgrade project and the installation and expansion of the Elmore section of the North Coast Inland Trail. He also helped bring the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall to Elmore in 2011.
Claar said previously that he took the most pride in his efforts spearheading the transformation of the site of the former Sohio station at the corner of Toledo and Rice streets into a downtown parking lot, which, because of practical and environmental concerns, took years to accomplish.
Regarding his race for mayor, which at the time was just prior to the start of the Ohio 51 bridge closure, Claar previously concluded:
“I’ll be the mayor without a bridge if I’m elected — hopefully I can throw a big hug around Elmore and keep everyone together until it’s done.”
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This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Elmore Ohio Mayor Rick Claar dies at age 66
