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Media contacts: Kim Schuette: 614.297.2314 or kschuette@ohiohistory.org
For Immediate Release
Ohio Historical Society Mourns Passing of Executive Director
William K. Laidlaw Jr., Passionate Advocate For Ohio History
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)- The Ohio Historical Society's executive director and CEO, Dr. William K. Laidlaw, Jr., is being remembered as a leader and advocate for preserving Ohio’s heritage by his friends and colleagues, after his unexpected and tragic death. Dr. Laidlaw, 66, died Friday of an apparent heart attack while swimming in the ocean with his wife during a family vacation on Martha's Vineyard.
"It is with profound sadness that we learned of the passing of our friend and colleague, Bill Laidlaw," said Richard T. Prasse of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, chairman of the OHS Board of Trustees. "The entire Ohio Historical Society family mourns this tragic loss, and our deepest sympathies are with his family and friends during this difficult time."
His life is remembered and celebrated by: his wife, Donna; two children, Scott Laidlaw of Whately, Mass., and Christina Laidlaw Kimmel of Houston, Texas; three grandchildren; and a host of friends and colleagues throughout the state and country.
"Bill was wholeheartedly committed to the historical society's mission 'to help people connect with Ohio’s past in order to create a better future,'" Prasse said. “He was a good and decent man who inspired others by inviting new ideas and involvement in the organization. He guided the Ohio Historical Society through significant changes and tough economic times by laying the foundation for the Society’s reinvention as a stronger, more focused statewide history organization. We will miss Bill and his leadership, but will strive as an organization to build on his legacy.”
Dr. Laidlaw came to Ohio Historical Society in August 2003 as executive director and CEO after a career in higher education and nonprofit management. During his tenure at the Ohio Historical Society, he traveled extensively throughout the state advocating for the Society and the value of history, history education and historic preservation.
According to Prasse, Dr. Laidlaw led the Ohio Historical Society to reinvent its business model from one heavily dependent on state support to a future based more on entrepreneurism. He was a change agent for the statewide nonprofit’s operations, leading its efforts through a strategic planning process that resulted in the Society's plans for the future - based on three core areas of preservation of historic sites and collections, statewide outreach and providing access for education and research. Under his leadership, the Society made great strides in reaching out to local communities and other statewide organizations to promote history during a time of diminishing state support.
In addition to leading the Ohio Historical Society, Dr. Laidlaw was appointed by Gov. Ted Strickland in 2008 as the State Historic Preservation Officer. He also served as chairman of the Ohio Historical Records & Advisory Board and the Program Committee for the American Association of State & Local History 2007 annual meeting. He was a member of the Governor’s Residence Advisory Committee and the National Museum of Afro-American History and Culture Planning Council.
Dr. Laidlaw held an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and a doctorate in management from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management. Prior to the Ohio Historical Society, he was the director of executive education and interim dean at Case Western’s Weatherhead School of Management from 2000 to 2002. While at CWRU, he received the Theodore M. Alfred Distinguished Service Award. For more than two decades before that, he was executive director of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, an accrediting agency and service organization for university-based business schools and programs.
Dr. Laidlaw's family issued the following statement: Bill Laidlaw was profoundly devoted to family, professional colleagues and friends. His life was anchored in his love, compassion, and support for his wife of 44 years, their children and grandchildren. He was a loving mentor, counselor, helper, guide and friend. Bill cared deeply about his work at the Ohio Historical Society, and always measured success by his capacity to multiply through colleagues his own sense of professional integrity, commitment and loyalty. Bill often spoke of the inspiration and dedication of the Society’s board, staff, volunteers and many friends. He treasured the friends and neighbors, old and new, he and Donna shared.
At this time a memorial service is being planned by his family. Please click here if you wish to leave your condolences.
According to Prasse, Dr. Laidlaw had planned to retire at the end of the year, and the OHS board is conducting a nationwide search for a new executive director. "While Bill's untimely death is a terrible loss to the organization, we have a strong management team that Bill put into place and our board members, staff and volunteers are dedicated to continuing the mission and programs of the Ohio Historical Society."
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