Tom Link Paffenbarger

VENICE, Florida — Tom Link Paffenbarger, 94, passed away on June 5, 2020, at the Venice Regional Medical Center in Venice, Florida. He was born in Columbus, Ohio, the second son of the late Ralph Seal and Viola (Link) Paffenbarger. He was preceded in death by his brother, Ralph S. Paffenbarger, Jr., in 2007. He graduated from Columbus North High School in 1943, entered the U.S. Navy as an aviation cadet and served in World War II as a chief radio officer in the Philippines with the Maritime Service. He received his bachelor of science and Juris Doctorate degrees from The Ohio State University in 1947 and 1950, respectively, and was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1951. After practicing law in Cleveland, Ohio, for two years, he moved to Norwalk in 1952 and started a career-long dedication to serving the community. His many activities included serving as exalted ruler of Norwalk Elks Lodge #730; president of the Chamber of Commerce and receiving its Outstanding Service Award as well as its Distinguished Service Award; president and director of the Huron County Airport Authority; and was the 1987 Honorary Drive Chairman of the United Way. He also served many years with the American Heart Association, Northeast Ohio Affiliate, and was its chairman in 1982. After retiring to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in 1989, he continued his volunteer activities and served five years on the town planning commission during the mid-1990s. He then relocated to Venice, Florida, in 2017. He is survived by his loving wife, Yvonne, of over 46 years; two sons in Phoenix, Arizona; five grandchildren, one great-grandchild; and a younger sister in Venice, Florida. Private services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association Northeast Ohio Affiliate,1689 E. 115th Street, Cleveland, OH 44106.