Dr. Oliver Lugibihl, a Pandora native with many Bluffton connections, is the 2015 Bluffton Lions Club Citizen of the Year.

His award was presented on April 19 during a Lions banquet at First Mennonite Church.

Better known as “Ollie,” and known for his considerate bedside manner, Dr. Lugibihl served the Bluffton-Pandora area for over 40 years before retiring from in 2004.

He began his medical practice in 1960 in Pandora, where he worked with Dr. Rice. As a small town general practitioner, Dr. Lugibihl covered all the bases from delivering more than 2,000 babies, working at a migrant clinic one or two nights a week, making house calls and treating patients, even though he knew they could not pay for the services.

Dr. Lugibihl put in thousands of community service hours ranging from finding produce, firewood and other necessities and then delivering them to residents in need.

One of his most significant impacts on the Pandora-Bluffton area was his involvement in the construction of the Pandora Medical Center in 1977. Until his retirement he served on the Bluffton Hospital staff.

Upon retirement he became very active in the Mennonite Memorial Home and continues to serve on its Auxiliary. There he is famous for creation of his hickory nut pies.

Dr. Lugibihl graduated from Pandora High School in 1950, received a bachelor’s degree from Otterbein and medical degree in 1957 from Case Western Reserve.

Previous winners
2014 – Dennis Morrison
2013 – Richard Ramseyer
2012 – Bob and Beverly Amstutz
2011 – Elaine Harris
2010 – Jerry and Lori Lewis
2009 – Jean Muller
2008 – Maurice Fett
2007 – Dr. Howard Shelly
2006 – Richard and Margaret Weaver
2005 – Fred Rodabaugh
2004 – Richard and Betty Cookson
2003 – Ropp Triplett
2002 – Morris Groman
2001 – Jim and Jean Szabo
2000 – Don and Nancy Schweingruber
1999 – Roger Mullenhour
1998 – Richard Boehr
1997 – Wayne Matter
1996 – Jean Triplett
1995 – Helen Tschantz
1994 – Herman Hilty
1993 – Leland Lehman
1992 – Lois Rodabaugh
1991 – Earl Lehman
1990 – Howard Raid
1989 – Dr. B.W. Travis
1988 – Mary Emma Triplett
1987 – James F. West
1986 – Paul Stauffer
1985 – Forrest Steinman
1984 – Eugene Benroth
1983 – James Ehrman
1982 – A.C. Burcky
1981 – Dr. F.D. Rodabaugh