A Lifetime of Service
Richard “Dick” Stobbs is a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran serving with the 11th Armored Cavalry (Blackhorse) Regiment; on the First Squadron Commander’s staff as an administrative clerk and machine gunner, also on the Regimental Commander’s staff as a combat correspondent. He received an honorable discharge and several awards and decorations, including: The National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal for Achievement, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.
Stobbs is from Belmont County, Ohio and has over 30 years of public service, including sheriff of Belmont County in 1981-85. He also has 11 years in federal service, including three years as a criminal justice specialist with the U.S. Department of Justice. Stobbs was a volunteer firefighter and emergency squad member with the Colerain Volunteer Fire Company. Currently, he works in a local agency and is a lifetime certified law enforcement instructor in Ohio.
Stobbs has been active in numerous civic organizations over the years including 4-H Junior Leaders, Jaycees, Rotary and Lansing Sportsmen’s Club. He has served as Co-treasurer of the Law Enforcement Training Fund for the U. S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and is currently active with the Belmont County Farm Bureau.
Stobbs is a member of Martins Ferry American Legion Post 38, and a life member of the following: AMVETS Youngstown Post 44, Bellaire Disabled Veterans Post 117, Colerain VFW Post 8848, MOPH Chapter 625, The Blackhorse Association and the 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia. Stobbs is a member of Ohio Veterans United, serving as Chair of the Endorsement Committee and also as 6th Congressional District Chair.
Away at war
Stobbs earned an Associate’s in law enforcement from Jefferson Community College along with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Ohio University and a Master’s of Science Administration from Central Michigan University. He was named as Jefferson Community College’s Outstanding Alumnus in 2008 for a lifetime of civic achievement. Furthermore, Stobbs is a graduate of the Colorado Outward Bound School and National Outdoor Leadership School.
Most recently, Stobbs has served as chairman of the Gold Star Family Committee. GFC’s lobbying efforts allowed passage of SB25 in Ohio, giving license plates to family members of Fallen Warriors. GFC’s new mission is to encourage “fifty plates for fifty states,” where all states honor their Fallen Warriors with a Gold Star Family license plate.
Stobbs is a Life Member of the NRA and has received their “A” Rating. Stobbs is also a life member of the Ohio Gun Collectors Association, member of Lansing Sportsmen’s Club and Ohioans for Concealed Carry (OFCC). OFCC, Ohio Gun Collectors and Vets for Freedom endorsed Stobbs for Congress in 2008, and will again in 2010. He is endorsed in 2010 by Tom White, 18th Secretary of the Army and Ohio Veterans United with other endorsements pending.
Stobbs wife, Jo Ann Stobbs, lost her fight with ovarian cancer in 2009. They have four children and two granddaughters.
The Stobbs Farm in Belmont County
