Pictured, Columbia School Board President Scott Middelkamp (right) thanks Ron Langhans for his years of service to the school district at the March 17 meeting, Langhans’ last. (submitted photo)

For 56 years, Ron Langhans has been serving the Columbia community. Whether as the owner of Ron’s Pharmacy — now Khoury Pharmacy — or as a school board member for the past 21 years, Langhans has become a fixture in the community.

“The school district is extremely fortunate to have Ron as a 21-year veteran school board member, for his wisdom and service have touched the lives of so many staff members, students, and parents over the years,” said Columbia Superintendent Gina Segobiano.

Paul Khoury took over the pharmacy in 2001, after 41 years under Langhans. But Langhans continued to serve as a Columbia school board member.

“I enjoy it,” Langhans said of working on the school board. “Being in touch with what’s happening in the community.”

This will be his last year serving as a school board member. Ron and his wife, Shirley, are moving to Indiana to be closer to their daughter.

“Ron and Shirley are 1954 graduates of Columbia High School and have never stopped ‘bleeding blue’ for the Columbia School District as well as for the community as a whole,” Segobiano said. “Ron and Shirley have dedicated their lives to the welfare of Columbia and are instrumental in establishing the many traditions that the community annually enjoy.”

In addition to serving on the school board for 21 years, Langhans served the city of Columbia in many ways, including as police commissioner, member of the Columbia Optimist Club, founder and past owner of Columbia Convalescent Center, founder of Columbia National Bank, and member and officeholder of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce.

He was one of the originators of the Columbia Strassenfest, which is now Columbia Daze, and he started the Columbia Fourth of July fireworks and several initiatives to get businesses along Main Street involved in the community.

He has been a member and officeholder of the Columbia Athletic Boosters since 1963.
Since he stopped working at the pharmacy 15 years ago, Langhans has been enjoying his time as a member of the school board. He said the best way to serve on the board is to be a good listener.

“I just figure a good school board member has to learn to listen and not think they can run the school,” Langhans said. “You just have to listen to what’s happening to those that are running the school. You can’t try to be a dictator or an administrator. You’re one of seven (board members).”

There was a simple reason he joined the board those 21 years ago.

“I felt there was a need for a steady voice,” he said.

Langhans said he’d miss the school, but he had a simple answer to what the community of Columbia has meant to him.

“Everything,” he said.

And the feelings are mutual.

“His influence is so deep throughout the school district that the high school cafeteria is now named as ‘Langhans Lobby,’ Segobiano added. “Ron is irreplaceable and will truly be missed.”

The Columbia School District is sending the Langhans off with a farewell open house this Sunday, from 1 to 3 p.m., at Columbia High School. Appropriately, the party will be held in Langhans Lobby. The public is encouraged to attend.

It’s only fitting that a fixture in the community gets to celebrate in a place named after him.