‘A heart as big as this town:’ Hamilton business owner dies at 60

Scott Pohlman loved Hamilton and loved helping others, friends and family remember.

Scott Pohlman’s heart was the same size as his personality and love for his city of Hamilton: Big.

That heart, his friends and family said, was “made of gold.”

Pohlman died Tuesday. He was 60.

CONDOLENCES: Offer your condolences to Scott Pohlman’s family online

“He was a fun-loving guy and always willing to help others,” said his brother, Jeff Pohlman, owner of Pohlman Tires. “He cared about people and he cared about helping people.”

Pohlman last year bought the former Columbia Lanes, now known as Strikes at Columbia Lanes, 954 Pyramid Hill Blvd., and regularly used the business to host fundraisers for the community. Owning the business was something he always wanted to do, his brother said.

“He wanted to be a business owner and use the resources of the business to assist others,” said Jeff Pohlman. “His ultimate goal was to make it a family fun center, something he felt was needed in the city.”

The Pohlman family will work to keep Strikes at Columbia Lanes open “and hope to fulfill his dream,” Jeff Pohlman said. For now, Jeff said he will take over the day-to-day operations.

Holli Harold, Strikes general manager, said her friendship with Scott Pohlman was almost instantaneous, because he never met a stranger.

“To know Scott, it was family instantly,” she said. “He was true, sincere and about as down to earth as you can get.”

RELATED: Riding for Turkeys gives those in need a holiday meal

Pohlman also used Strikes to feed the hungry as part of the annual Riding for Turkeys fundraiser. Last year, he joined a group of other Hamilton and Butler County business owners to provide a Thanksgiving meal for those less fortunate. The dinner was held at Strikes, and it will be held there again this year.

“We not only lost a great person for what we do with Riding for Turkeys, but the loss the community will have for losing this guy,” said Edd Bannon, founder of Riding for Turkeys. “Scott had a heart as big as this town.”

Riding for Turkeys wrapped up its second annual motorcycle ride on Sept. 29, which ended at Strikes at Columbia Lanes. Bannon said his last conversation with Pohlman was about the success of the ride, which raised $1,370 for the Nov. 11 dinner.

“The last words I had with Scott were on Saturday afternoon — he wasn’t feeling good — but he said, ‘We did it again, didn’t we,’ and I said, ‘Yeah, we did it again,” Bannon said.

Pohlman is survived by his parents, James and Lois Pohlman; his siblings: Don (Lee) Pohlman, Jeff (Ellen) Pohlman, Alan (Pam) Pohlman, Denise (Tim Livelsburger) Pohlman, Eric (Tonja) Pohlman and Kim (Justin) Tavares; his long-time companion Rene Dolan; his step-daughter Tricia (Donnie) Bolser; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, at Brown Dawson Flick Funeral Home, 1350 Millville Ave. in Hamilton. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 171 Washington St. in Hamilton. Burial will follow at St. Stephen’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Stephen T. Badin High School or St. Joseph’s Church or School.

Credit: Provided/Facebook.com

Credit: Provided/Facebook.com

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