Randy Lee Leffler

Randy was born March 29, 1968, in Carroll, Ohio, and graduated from Bloom-Carroll High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from The Ohio State University, the first in his family to attend and graduate from college.

Randy made the most of his collegiate years, studying abroad in France for a summer and working as a Republican page at the Ohio Statehouse. He also served a Capitol Hill internship for Rep. Clarence E. Miller, R-Ohio, which solidified Randy's commitment to political causes.

After graduation, Randy served on Governor George Voinovich's successful gubernatorial campaign. Randy worked in the Ohio Department of Aging as the director's executive assistant and later as director of communications. He served as director of communications for the Ohio Manufacturers Association before joining the Ohio Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (OAASC) in 2007 as its executive director. In addition, Randy created and operated a successful business, Select Association Management.

Randy was regarded as a national expert on ambulatory surgery centers and served on the national Ambulatory Surgery Center Association's government affairs committee and chaired its state affairs committee. He previously served on the legislative staff in both the Ohio House of Representatives and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Among Randy's life passions was travel, and he took great joy in planning and engaging in trips with his family. Among the highlights were vacations in New York, California, Paris, Italy, and Hawaii, and a 2012 European trip for the London Olympics, which also featured a meaningful stop in Normandy, France. The family loved their twice-yearly visits to the Disney Parks, the most special one to Disneyland in 2018 for Randy's 50th birthday when he watched his son, Ben, march down Mainstreet USA with the Worthington-Kilbourne band.

Randy loved the family's many trips to enjoy musical theater, which he adored, and he was often credited with providing the soundtrack of their lives. He loved Ohio State football and attended almost every home game from the time he started college in 1986 until his passing in 2019. Attending games with his son was a special joy for him, especially the 2019 Rose Bowl.

Randy's greatest love was his family, and he was devoted to Ben. He was a constant presence at any and all Ben's sporting events, school fundraisers, and theater performances. During Cub Scouts Randy was known as the Popcorn Kernel for his help with fundraising drives. A former member of the Bloom-Carroll band, Randy served as president of the Worthington-Kilbourne band boosters, and if Ben was on the field with his sousaphone for a football game or band competition, it was guaranteed Randy was in the stands, beaming with pride.

He was equally proud of and in love with his wife, Missy, whom he met at Ohio State and married in 1993. He supported her unfailingly, throughout her graduate study to earn her doctorate, and he was her greatest source of strength and support in her professional career. Randy was the love of her life.

Randy's genuine kindness, warmth, and generosity made him loved by all who knew him. His laugh was contagious and his smile lit up any room. He was a pillar of his community and a fierce and loyal friend. He gave of himself selflessly to his family, friends, and colleagues. He was a man of great integrity and compassion.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents, Mabel Lois and James; and an infant brother, Todd. He is survived by his wife, Melissa Beers; his son, Ben; brother, David (Joanna); niece Jennifer Murphy (Tony) and great-nephew Colton; aunt Mary Staten; uncle Bob Leffler; his cousin Brenda Dorick (Sam) and his godchildren Jennifer and Christopher Dorick, along with numerous cousins.

Calling hours will be held Jan. 1 from 12 to 3 p.m., and 6 to 9 p.m. at Schoedinger Funeral Home, 6699 N High St, Worthington, OH 43085. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 2 at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 6899 Smoky Row Road, Columbus, OH 43235.

Contributions may be made to a Scholarship Fund Established for Ben Leffler, c/o Melissa Beers.