Former U.S. Rep. Delbert L. Latta (R-OH5, Bowling Green), who served in Congress for 30 years representing all or part of 15 northwest Ohio counties, and knew eight U.S. presidents, died May 12 at Wood Haven Nursing Home, Bowling Green, OH, after an extended illness. He was 96 years old. Delbert was born March 5, 1920, in Weston, Ohio, to Lester and Bessie (Thompson) Latta. Surviving him are his wife of 67 years, Rose Mary (Kiene), daughter Rose Ellen Jackson (Stephen), and son Robert (Marcia), both of Bowling Green; five grandchildren: Peter (Alyssa) Kuebeck, Perrysburg, David (Rachel) Kuebeck, and Andrew Kuebeck, Elizabeth and Maria Latta, all of Bowling Green; three great-grandchildren: Olivia and Hazel Kuebeck, Bowling Green, and Noah Kuebeck, Perrysburg; also, two sisters, Corrine Harden (Bob, d.) of Findlay, and Hilda (Bob, d.) Smith, of McComb. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Donald and Lester Latta, sister Marcella George and son-in-law E.J. Kuebeck.
Del learned early in life that success comes through hard work. He applied himself in the classroom and successfully took part in speaking contests, at North Baltimore and then McComb High School, where he graduated in 1938. As a youngster, he was also a prizefighter boxer, assisting his family with his earnings, and honing his competitive skills. Encouraged by his teachers to attend college, he worked his way through school, first at Findlay College, and then at Ohio Northern University, where he received his undergraduate degree in government and a law degree with honors. He served in the Ohio National Guard and the U.S. Army from 1938-41, and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 1942-43.
In 1952, while practicing law and teaching at ONU, Del successfully ran for the Ohio Senate, where he served three two-year terms before seeking and winning Ohio’s Fifth District Congressional primary from a crowded field of candidates, ultimately winning the seat that he held successfully for 15 terms. While he was author or co-sponsor of many important pieces of legislation, the 1981 Gramm-Latta Budget Bill, and the 1982 Latta-Michel Bill which served as the economic cornerstones for the Reagan Revolution will be Del’s lasting legacies on Capitol Hill. Gramm-Latta mandated the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 (the Kemp-Roth Tax Cut), increased military spending, and provided cuts in discretionary and mandatory spending. Both bills were passed through the U.S. House with bi-partisan support, with the opposition party in control of the chamber.
A staunch conservative, Del worked diligently to protect the taxpayers of this country from increased taxes. This philosophy, coupled with his hard work, resulted in numerous awards, among them 16 Golden Bulldog Awards from the Watchdogs of the Treasury. He also served as Dean of the Ohio Congressional Delegation. During his 30 years of congressional service, he served on the Agriculture, Export Controls, Judiciary, Budget, and Rules Committees. He was appointed to the Judiciary Committee during the Watergate hearings against his wishes, and defended Nixon until he was convinced that, indeed, there was a cover-up. His position as Ranking Member of the Budget Committee, from its inception in 1975, earned him one of the eight leadership slots of the Republican Leadership Committee, allowing him to meet weekly with President Ronald Reagan. Throughout his public service career, he enjoyed inviting Republican leaders, officeholders, and candidates to northwest Ohio, and over the years, hosted such individuals as Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, John Connally, Bob Dole, Howard Baker, and Elizabeth Dole among others.
In Ohio’s Fifth District, he was known as a hard-working, honorable and decent man, who returned to the district every weekend to maintain a working grasp of issues facing northwest Ohio and to meet regularly with constituents throughout the communities he represented. He particularly enjoyed his visits to small town festivals, county fairs, and local schools, where he found he could gain important insight through casual conversations with people. His open door policy with constituents resulted in multitudes of “keys to cities” and appreciation awards from Scout troops, Kiwanis, Rotary, church groups, business organizations and agricultural clubs. After retiring from Congress in 1989, he served as a trustee for many years on the boards of trustees at Bowling Green State University and Defiance College, and the John Ashbrook Center at Ashland College. Following his retirement, he would often speak to service clubs and to school groups about the importance of civic involvement, and sharing reflections of many of the key national and international events that had occurred during his time in office, and providing insights about the individuals who made key decisions impacting the world.
In 2003 the Bowling Green Post Office was named the Delbert L. Latta Post Office Building through Public Law 108-50. Among other honors conferred upon him were honorary doctorate degrees from Bowling Green State University, Findlay College, the Medical College of Ohio, Ohio Northern University, and Tiffin University. Del was a 33rd Degree Mason and a member of the McComb Church of Christ, and American Legion.
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes honoring Del’s life of service may be made to the McComb Church of Christ, or the Del Latta Scholarship Funds at BGSU Foundation, Ohio Northern University, and the University of Findlay. The family wishes to thank the caring staff of Wood Haven Nursing Home and the Wood County Hospital.
Funeral arrangements are pending with the Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home, 1460 W. Wooster Street/P.O. Box 648, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402. Tele: 419-352-2171. Interment will be at McComb Union Cemetery in McComb.
Online Condolences as well as fond memories may be left for the Latta family by visiting www.hannemanfh.com.
The following statement was issued by Senator Randy Gardner following the passing of former Congressman Delbert L. Latta of Bowling Green.
“We have lost a tremendous public servant and iconic defender of liberty. No one fought harder for the people he was privileged to represent than Del Latta. So much can be said about his wonderful legacy. For now, thank you Congressman for your life of service, and thank you to the Latta family for sharing this patriot with us.”
-Senator Randy Gardner (R- Bowling Green)
