(Canton) - A public memorial ceremony is being planned for former U.S. Representative Ralph Regula, who served Stark County and surrounding areas. Regula died Wednesday. He was 92.
Regula was a school teacher and administrator who later became a politician. Regula was elected to the first of 16 terms in the U.S. House in 1972, retiring in 1998. At the time, he was dean of Ohio's congressional delegation, and a member of the powerful Appropriations committee.
A moderate Republican who worked well with both parties, Regula's most lasting legacy will be the creation of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. He introduced the legislation that led to the establishment of the urban national park between Cleveland and Akron.
Regula's moderate views on federal spending and social programs sometimes put him at odds with conservatives in party leadership during his later years in office.
Regula and his wife, Mary, had three children, and four grandchildren. Ralph and Mary Regula were also instrumental in establishing the National First Ladies' Library in Canton.
On Friday, Governor John Kasich ordered flags at public buildings and grounds in Ohio be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday to honor Regula.