COLUMBUS, Ohio — A tribute to the impactful life of Ben Espy, a distinguished attorney and former state senator, will take place on Monday. The event will celebrate his significant contributions to Ohio and the city of Columbus. Espy passed away on January 4 at the age of 81 after a short illness.
As a member of the Democratic Party, Espy was a groundbreaking figure, known for being the first African American to hold the position of president pro tem of Columbus City Council for a major part of the 1980s. Additionally, he served as minority leader of the Ohio Senate between 1991 and 2000. Although he faced setbacks in his aspirations for higher political office, Espy continued to garner respect and accolades from individuals on both sides of the political spectrum throughout his career.
In 2007, then-Democratic Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann appointed Espy as his top deputy. In a subsequent investigation in 2009 concerning allegations of sexual harassment within the office, Espy led a crucial internal review, producing findings that were notably critical. “I don’t think anyone anywhere is going to question Ben Espy’s integrity,” remarked Dann’s spokesperson following the investigation’s conclusion.
Espy’s influence stretched beyond politics; his work significantly shaped the city of Columbus. He was instrumental in founding the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, recognized today as one of the largest in the nation, along with the Columbus Youth Corps—an initiative aimed at instilling ethics and professionalism in youth, acknowledged as one of President George H.W. Bush’s “points of light.” Additionally, he developed “The Job Show,” a city-produced cable program dedicated to job placement, which garnered the title of the best municipal cable program in the country for two consecutive years, 1986 and 1987.
Describing her father, Laura Espy-Bell emphasized his commitment to the community. “He was the community’s person. We’re hearing countless stories of people whose lives were changed because of my dad,” she stated. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther hailed Espy as “a remarkable leader and advocate” for the city’s residents. Similarly, U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty highlighted that Espy’s legacy “is felt in every corner of the community.” Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin referred to him as “a towering statesman and a fighter for justice and equality,” noting that many current leaders stand on the groundwork he laid.
Born in Nashville, Tennessee, on July 12, 1943, Espy was an accomplished athlete during his teenage years, graduating from Sandusky High School in 1961, where he excelled in football and track. Later, he joined Woody Hayes’ renowned Ohio State Buckeyes football team as a running back and received a degree in political science from The Ohio State University in 1965 before obtaining his law degree from Howard University in 1968.
Espy’s legal career began as a corporate lawyer with Allegheny Airlines, followed by service as an assistant staff judge advocate in the U.S. Air Force. After returning to Ohio in 1972, he started his career at the Ohio Attorney General’s office, eventually opening his law practice and venturing into politics.
Espy was married to Kathy Duffy Espy, who passed away in 2022, and they raised four daughters and had 11 grandchildren. Espy-Bell remembered her father as not only a dedicated public servant during the day but also a loving family man who made time for bedtime stories and soccer games.
In 1984, Espy endured a severe accident when a cornice fell from an old downtown Columbus building, resulting in the loss of part of his right leg. Espy-Bell reflected on her father’s resilience, stating, “Two things got him through that. One was the strength of my mother to carry our family through, raising four little girls. The other was the strength of my father to come back even stronger and even better.”
Derrick Clay, the president and CEO of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, remarked that Espy’s life story is a testament to overcoming challenges and transforming them into opportunities for greater impact. In recognition of Espy’s contributions, Republican Governor Mike DeWine ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on the day of his funeral.
