The sad news is that Ed Honton passed away early on the morning of October 12, 2005 after a long fight with leukemia. The good news is, if he had good maps, he knows the way home.

Peter Toomey

We recognize Ed Honton’s many years of commitment to our ideals and programs. Among many actions, GOBA was his brainchild and has provided almost half a million dollars to the Ohio to Erie trail. Thanks to Ed’s efforts, the completion of the Ohio to Erie trail is in sight. Ed, and Ron Eisele, were instrumental in keeping COP alive after we disaffiliated from AYH in 1997. We cannot say thanks enough.

Glenn Beachy, COP President, on the presentation of the Ron Eisele Award to Ed Honton, October 2004.

My first real interactions with Ed, beyond Hi and Hello, began when I became a board member of what was then Columbus Council, AYH. Ed was president, and had been for as long as I had been aware of the CCAYH governing structure. I won’t say I was intimidated working with Ed initially, because that was not the case. What I felt was that I needed to pay close attention and listen a LOT more than I spoke, since it was obvious that there was much I could learn from him. One thing I learned quickly was that Ed was on a mission. It didn’t matter what the topic of the day happened to be. He was goal oriented, and was ALWAYS working toward that goal. Always.

Not only that, but Ed didn’t leave things to chance. He made sure he had everything worked out in advance, and as much as possible, under control. It was consistent with his mentality, as I saw it, of a singular focus, working to achieve the goal. Whether it was dealing with insurance for the organization, starting GOBA, managing the cross-state bike routes, or obtaining funding for the Ohio to Erie Trail, Ed knew what he wanted, knew what it would take to get it, had a plan, and was working the plan. Always.

When I had the opportunity to serve the organization as president, I tried to emulate Ed’s approach - as much as my less-organized mind could manage. Ed set high standards for fairness, transparency, ethical practices and integrity; all attributes and behaviors I admired. He set an excellent example for those around him, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who was able to learn from him.

As time passed, I came to appreciate how remarkably focused and driven Ed was. To have accomplished all that he has done required tremendous dedication, commitment and energy over many, many years. And it was all done as a volunteer! He clearly had a passion for what he was doing, and I feel we all have, and will continue, to benefit tremendously from his efforts. Thank you, Ed, and farewell.

Dave Levy, Ed’s successor as COP President

There will be more memories of Ed in the February issue of Columbus Outdoors