ASHLAND — Lloyd Wygant and his wife, Norma, spent their first date together at the Ashland County Fair.
The two married on Sept. 9, 1951. Together, they built a life full of service and selfless giving to the Ashland community.
“Always humble. Always modest. Always caring. Always well informed. Always engaged. That’s how you would describe Lloyd and Norma (Wygant),” said Ashland Mayor Matt Miller.
Wygant passed away Wednesday evening in Wasen Rehabilitation Center at Brethren Care Village. He was 96 years old.
Born on July 27, 1929 in New Haven, Connecticut, Wygant graduated from Ashland High School in 1947.
He and his wife, also a 1947 Ashland High School grad, were inducted in 2019 as members of the Ashland High School Distinguished Alumnus Award Class of 2019. Wygant earned degrees from the University of Denver and Baldwin Wallace and served in the United States Marine Corps for two years.
Impact on Ashland City Schools
Lloyd and Norma Wygant unexpectedly lost their son, Keith Wygant, who died in his sleep when he was a senior in high school. He participated in football and wrestling and would have graduated in the Ashland High School Class of 1971.
But his parents ensured his name would live on forever. The Ashland City Schools Board of Education in April 2018 accepted a $500,000 donation from the Wygants for the 40,000-square foot Keith Wygant Memorial Field House.
In 2021, Ashland’s school board unanimously accepted a $250,000 donation from the Wygants for the district’s high school stadium entrance project.
Ashland Supt. Steve Paramore said the district is eternally grateful for the Wygant’s support.
“That facility (field house) in itself impacts not only current and former students, but countless community members, too,” Paramore said. “It really is a beacon of our school district.”
The superintendent said the Wygants made additional donations for pieces of equipment which are inside the field house — things like weight-room equipment and bleachers.
“It’s impressive to see their footprint from a philanthropic standpoint throughout the community,” Paramore said. “He lived a very full and successful life. We all hope we can model that.”
On its Facebook page, Ashland Arrow Wrestling said Lloyd and Norma Wygant recently made a “generous donation to help get our girls wrestling program off the ground.” The full post can be read below.
The Ashland Arrows football program also made a tribute post to Wygant, which can be read here on its Facebook page.
Passion for Ashland
In August 2019, Brookside Golf Course unveiled the Don T. Hostettler Pavilion.
Lloyd and Norma Wygant donated the funding to construct the pavilion — named in honor of Norma’s father and previous mayor of Ashland, Don Hostettler. First elected in 1957, Hostettler was re-elected in 1965. During this term, the idea of Brookside Golf Course came to be and work on the course began in 1968.
Miller said the husband and wife also helped fund the exterior improvements to the course’s clubhouse.
The Wygants helped make the arch across Main Street — the city’s first — a reality, too.
Miller said he met the couple in their home to present the drawings for the arch. Both spent time studying the image, he said.
Knowing the Wygants were a bit unsure if the project was one they wanted to pursue, the mayor drove the couple to Columbus, specifically the capital’s Short North Arts District neighborhood — where arches practically make a tunnel down High Street and served as inspiration for Ashland.
The trio dined together before making the trip back to Ashland. As they made their way back to the car, Wygant told Miller they had been convinced — especially given the fact they all had to ride back together.
In May 2022, Miller escorted the Wygants on a blue Chevy Camaro convertible under the 50-foot-wide, 30-foot-tall adornment.
Along with improvements to the golf course and the arch installation, the Wygants are responsible for the pickleball courts at both Cahn Grove and Brookside West parks.
“One of the things that Lloyd would tell me over and over again was that he wanted to see the projects that he and Norma’s donations make a reality while they’re alive,” Miller said.
“He wanted to see the good that was being accomplished with the fruits of their labor right here in the land of the living. I’m so glad that he was able to do just that.”
Miller said the Wygants were also strong supporters of The Ashbrook Center at Ashland University.
Wygant built a legacy
Wygant retired from Ashland University in 1997 after more than 32 years working in business administration, according to his obituary.
He was previously employed at Ashland Paint and Color Company, where he and his wife were the owners and operators for more than a decade after taking over from Norma’s father.
Wygant was a volunteer at University (Samaritan) Hospital for 25 years in the emergency department and the oldest member of the local Young Men’s Business Club.
Miller said the Wygants have built a legacy in the Ashland community.
“One of the things that I admire most about both of them is their life has not been free from challenge. They have endured a number of personal losses, yet they did not let that stop them,” the mayor said.
“They continued to live their life to the fullest. Because of that, they have impacted countless lives and families beyond their own.”
Online condolences may be shared with the Wygant family through Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home’s website. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Keith Wygant Memorial Scholarship at the Ashland County Community Foundation, 300 College Ave. in Ashland.
