Obituary for Robert M. Chiaramonte

Colonel (Ret.) Robert M. Chiaramonte, (94) passed away December 7, 2014 at the Forum at Knightsbridge. Proceeded in death by parents Maurice and Flora Chiaramonte; wife Evelyn Jeanne Chiaramonte; and sister-in-law Norma Chiaramonte. Survived by daughters Kim (Jay) Sears, Sandra Chiaramonte (Russ Scholl); brother Ed Chiaramonte; nieces Cheryle Chiaramonte, Debra (Dan) Hicks; and great nephew Dustin (Lauren) Wolff. Bob was a wonderful family man and an outstanding career professional that impacted, influenced and inspired countless people throughout his life’s journey. He was greatly loved, admired and respected by friends, family and colleagues. A graduate of New Lyme High School (Ashtabula county) in 1938, Bob attended The Ohio State University prior to joining the Ohio State Highway Patrol in 1942. Commissioned as a Patrolman assigned to the Hebron Post, Bob served only two months on the Patrol before volunteering in the United States Coast Guard where he served on the Osspiee, the Emory L. Ford and the T. J. McCarthy. Later assigned to an Army vessel FS # 166 as a communications operator, he served for 20 months in the Southwestern and Western Pacific areas until the ship was decommissioned in 1945. Returning to the Patrol, he was again assigned to the Hebron Post and then transferred to the Warren sub-post with assignments in Hubbard and later Geneva. Bob subsequently served as an instructor at the Patrol Academy (Hartman Farm) for several years prior to being awarded a Kemper Foundation Scholarship to attend the Traffic Institute’s nine month course at Northwestern University. Graduating as class president and valedictorian Bob returned to the Patrol Academy prior to his promotion to Sergeant and transfer to the personnel section of the Patrol’s General Headquarters. Bob attended The Ohio State University and Franklin University. In 1957, Bob, with the assistance of the Department of Psychology at The Ohio State University developed and implemented a performance appraisal system for the selection of supervisors that was valid and reliable. Known as the Diagnostic Forced-Choice Evaluation, this appraisal instrument guided the selection of Patrol supervisors for over forty years. After earning the ranks of Corporal, Sergeant, 1st Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Major, Bob served as Lt. Colonel for one year prior to being appointed the Patrol’s 6th Superintendent on November 1, 1965. Numerous programs, policies and practices developed and implemented during his service as Superintendent have been institutionalized by the Patrol and remain in place 40 years after his Retirement. The “Blue Max” Program, Coach/Pupil Training, Trooper of the Year, Mandatory In-Service Training, Psychological Testing of Applicants and the Drum and Bugle Corps are a few of the legacy programs. His legacy of service is further honored each year with the Patrol’s Robert M. Chiaramonte Humanitarian Award. The award honors officers for dedication to humanitarian causes. As the on-scene -commander of 33 riots and demonstrations he successfully led the Patrol at Central State University, the Ohio Penitentiary, The Ohio State University, Miami University, Lebanon Correctional Institution, and the London Correctional Institution to name a few. During all of these riots and disturbances with extreme uncertainty and conflict, the Ohio State Patrol maintained the highest sense of duty, integrity and professionalism without even the hint of any use of excessive force, abuse of authority or violations of individual rights His guiding principle was “you not only have to be right, you have to look right.” Few law enforcement officers rise so rapidly to a position of top leadership with the universal approbation of all segments of law enforcement, the legislature and the judicial branches of government. Under the leadership of Col. Chiaramonte, the Patrol was elevated to universal esteem, respected for integrity and competence and valued highly as the key instrument of highway safety throughout the nation. On April 1, 1975, Col. Robert M. Chiaramonte retired from the Ohio State Highway Patrol but he did not retire from service to his state. He continued to serve as the Director of the Ohio Crime Commission and for a short time as the Ohio Lottery Director. In December of 1976 he was appointed as the Director of the Department of Highway Safety and served in this capacity until May 31, 1980. He was the first Patrol Superintendent ever selected to serve as the Director of the Department of Highway Safety. Bob was a member of Lockbourne Masonic Lodge # 232, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus, Aladdin Shrine, and was granted and conferred the 33rd degree on September 24, 1980. Bob served for many years on the Board of Directors of the Aladdin Shriners' Hospital Association for Children, Inc. and is the recipient of numerous Masonic awards and recognitions. Family will receive friends Thursday, December 11, 2014 from 1-3 and 5-7 with a Masonic Service at 7:00PM at the Hill Funeral Home, 220 South State Street, Westerville, OH. Funeral services will be at Central College Church, 975 Sunbury Road, Westerville, OH. at 11:00AM on Friday, December 12, 2014 with the Rev. Richard D. Ellsworth officiating, followed by internment at Blendon Central Cemetery, 6330 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Aladdin Shriners Hospital Association for Children, Inc. 3850 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219-2606. Friends are invited to a reception at Central College Church immediately following internment.