Leslie Osche remembers her father, John Buol, a Butler Township World War II veteran, who remained with the U.S. Army Reserve decades later.

Osche, the youngest of four daughters, beamed when visiting the Army Reserve Center in the township as part of a Girl Scouts contingent.

“I was so proud of him,” Osche said.

Since her parents were older than those of her peers, she felt privileged to be the child of a World War II veteran.

Buol's military service and devotion to family are what inspired Osche the most, she said — “My dad's dedication and commitment to his country and his family.”

She also recalled her father's avid interest in history and politics, visiting historical sites, such as Washington, D.C., and Boston as a young girl.

“We went to New York Harbor to see the tall ships,” Osche said.

She said her father's long shadow led her to be involved in community service and then politics.

Along with being a good father, Buol impressed his daughter with his devotion to his grandchildren, including Osche's sons — Josh, Nathan and Zachary.

“He was such a great grandpa for my three boys,” Osche said.

She recalled Zachary as a small boy acting stalwart during the Veterans Day parade just like his grandfather.

“Zach insisted he wear a hat and scarf, too,” she said. “He saluted.”

Those memories were especially poignant because she lost her father in late 2000, with Zachary following him the next summer.

Buol also was known for his superior preparations. A carry tote contained all the essentials.

“That little bag had everything you could possibly need in an emergency,” Osche said. “He always was prepared.”

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The other two Butler County commissioners also reminisced about the impact their fathers had on their lives.

Kim Geyer recalled the dedication of her father, Denny Burford of Mars.

“My dad always strived to be a good provider for my family,” Geyer said.

She said her father taught her a love of nature, birds in particular.

“When I was in fifth grade, we raised quail together,” Geyer said.

She said her father eschewed technology to maintain a simple, less stressful life.

“We always said Dad will outlive us all,” Geyer said.

They both worked for USAir in the 1980s, he worked in maintenance while she was a flight attendant. She said those jobs were a bond they shared in their mutual love of aviation.

What they did not share was an interest in politics.

“He was not involved in politics at all,” Geyer said. “This was very foreign to him.”

When she first ran for Mars School Board, her father asked if she was sure she wanted to pursue elected office.

But once she was committed, her father supported her decision and follows what goes on in local government.

“He takes an active interest,” Geyer said.

Kevin Boozel remembers his dad, Gene Boozel, never missing work.Boozel said discussion with his late father always caused him to ponder.“He would make me think about things,” he said. “He was a very powerful speaker.”Boozel recalled family outings, when his father squished the family onto a 12-foot aluminum boat.Such activities as fishing became problematic in the cramped quarters.“I hooked my brother's ear,” Boozle said about attempting to cast a line.His father never thought Boozel would attain political office, Boozle said — he told him that he was too much like an average Joe to appeal to voters.He said his father taught him to set a course to reach a goal.Boozel said his father's influence also can be felt in how he parented his two sons, Zach, 20, and Colton, 18.Boozel said just as his father never argued with wife, Alice, in front of their children, his son carried out the same practice years later.“I made it important in my family,” he said.Recently, Zach told his father he would do the same when his turn comes to rear children.Boozel appreciated how his father's example has become a family tradition.“I laughed inside,” he said.