George A. Lynch

LYNCH, George A., of Riverside, age 76 died February 23, 2015. Born May 4, 1938 in Titusville, PA, to Harvey T. and Georgianna Porter Lynch, he graduated from Ashtabula (Ohio) Harbor High School in 1956. Following an eight and ½ year stint in the United States Air Force, four years of it in Europe, he accepted an appointment with the Air Force’s Foreign Technology Division (now known as the National Air & Space Intelligence Center) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base from which re retired in 1994 following 38 years of federal service. George earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Physics from Wright State University. At the time of his retirement, George was Chief of the Directed Energy Weapons Branch. An avid hunter, fisherman and conservationist, he was a long voice for sportsmen and conservationists on local, state and national issues. After years of working behind the scenes for many hunting, fishing, firearm and conservation issues, following retirement (and thus free of federal restrictions), he became an aggressive lobbyist and spent countless hours influencing State and Federal Congressional Members on legislation introduction decisions concerning matters dealing with his beloved out-of-doors, Among his many issues through the years were the defeat of the anti-trapping initiative in 1977, the successful adoption of legislation to permit mourning dove hunting in Ohio, legislation protecting the right once remote shooting ranges to continue to operate in a safe manner is areas of expanding development and the adoption of legislation authorizing Sunday hunting in Ohio. Nationally, he lobbied Congress on the Great Lakes Initiative to improve water quality in the Great Lakes, extension of the Endangered Species Act, the legislation protect the Everglades, the effort to prohibit water diversion from the Great Lakes, and the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA) to return monies to the state natural resources departments and wildlife divisions from off-shore drilling leases. In recognition of his countless efforts, the League of Ohio Sportsman honored him with their Conservation Olympian Award in 1998, and named him to the Conservation Hall of Fame. In 2002, The National Wildlife Federation presented him their Conservation Service Citation for his years of dedicated service to their organization. George was an active member of many organizations. He served many years as a Boy Scout leader and Commissioner, served 11 years as Ohio’s Representative to the National Wildlife Federation, was a Trustee in the North Dayton Anglers and Conservation Club and was a four term past president of the Wright Patterson Air Force Base Rod and Gun Club. He was a life member of the League of Ohio Sportsman, the Ohio Wildlife Federation, the League of Kentucky Sportsman, the National Rifle Association, and a life member of the WPAFB Rod and Gun Club (and a 1994 Inductee into their Honor Role), a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion Dignam – Whitmore Post 526, the Wright State University Alumni Association, a member of Fraternal Order of Eagles Wright Aerie 2641, a life member of the Men’s Auxiliary to Raymond J. France VFW Post 657, a life member of the NRA, a member of the National Arbor Day Foundation. He served as a member of the City of Riverside Planning Commission since 2002, served as a member of the 2009 City of Riverside Charter Review Committee, and on District Four (Montgomery County) of Ohio’s Natural Resources Assistance Council (Clean Ohio Fund) since 2005. Included in his many other honors are Honorary Life Membership in the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA): selection to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (1973-1974); selection to Who’s Who in the Midwest (with listing in Who’s Who in America) (1978-1979); selection for membership in Tau Beta Pi Fraternity, the National Engineering Honor Society; and selection for membership to the Order of the Engineer. George is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Lucille (Rocco) Lynch and their three daughters: Kim (and late husband Les) Vesey, Tammy and Tim Rowland, and Terri and Joal Baldwin; and six grandchildren: Patrick and Sarah Vesey; and Aaron, Myles, Morgan and Logan Rowland; great grandson Warren; brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Debbie Lynch; two nieces and a nephew. Also surviving are many dear friends and a great number of special hunting and fishing buddies, with whom he made many memorable trips. Viewing will be from 4p to 7p, with prayers and full military honors at 7p on Sunday March 1st at Tobias Funeral Home, 3970 Dayton-Xenia Rd at Grange Hall Rd, Beavercreek. According to his wishes, cremation and inurnment at Dayton National Cemetery will be conducted at the convenience of the family. Condolences can be expressed to the family at www.tobiasfuneralhome.com.