BUCYRUS – A longtime bank executive in the community is stepping down after faithfully serving the financial institution – and Crawford County residents – for nearly 50 years.
Dave Lauthers, 65, retired from Park National Bank on Dec. 31, ending a 47-year career. A career dedicated to banking – and to the legacy established by his great-grandfather, John J. Quaintance, a fixture at First National Bank in town for more than 60 years.
“Gosh, I think I’ve worked at the best bank, so I just never made a move to do anything else,” said Lauthers, reflecting on the only profession he has ever known. “Working in a small community bank was very interesting.
In a small bank, you wear a lot of hats.”
And he did.
As an 18-year-old teller in Crestline, back when it was Crawford County National Bank. As a loan officer at United Bank, N.A. (after Crawford County National’s merger with Bucyrus City Bank). As vice president and cashier at United Bank. And more recently, as operations manager for the bank’s successor, Park National.
Lauthers, a Bucyrus native, was hired June 15, 1975, just two weeks after graduating from Colonel Crawford High School. He trained in Crestline at the main office and, in the early years, enjoyed working directly with the public, helping them secure car loans and business loans.
The bank, he said, was always good to him and paid for his education at Marion Technical College, where he earned an associate degree in business management. “I hardly ever had a boring day at the bank. It was always very interesting and rewarding.”
Whether working in Crestline or at United’s branches in Galion and Bucyrus, Lauthers remained active in the community over the years. In fact, he was a member of the Kiwanis Club in all three cities and served as president of the Galion organization.
He’s been a board member and volunteer for Together We Hurt, Together We Heal, an addiction support group.
He also volunteers for the Bucyrus After School Enrichment program, or BASE, and is a regular at Chamber of Commerce and United Way functions.
Lauthers and his wife, Cheryle, are active members of the Bucyrus Nazarene Church, where he chaired the committee to build a new sanctuary. He’s a member of the choir and finance committee, but many people also know him for his comedic role of “Coal Car Charlie” in church Christmas programs and other performances.
He and his wife have a son, Jason, and a daughter, Julie Stahl, plus four grandchildren. Stahl is following in her father’s footsteps at Park National, where she has worked for eight years and is also a member and treasurer of the Bucyrus Kiwanis.
“My family would tell you that living and sharing your faith, supporting and encouraging your family, and serving your community every day is a much higher indicator of success,” Lauthers said. “I hope at the end of the day I am remembered more for attempting to live these basic values.”