A native of Bluffton, Indiana, Fornshell was born to the late Harold c. and Mary Ann Fornshell on July 9, 1937. He was a 1955 graduate of Worthington High School and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from The Ohio State University in 1959.
Upon graduation, he began his career in broadcasting and worked at the former WTVN-TV, WOSU-TV and the Maryland Center for Public Broadcasting. In 1970, he was hired as the Executive Director of the Ohio Educational Telecommunications Network Commission and served in that capacity for over 32 years.
He was also a member of the Ohio Air National Guard from 1960-1969, serving with the 121st Tactical Fighter Wing and the 160th Air Refueling Group. He began his service as an enlisted man and rose to the rank of Captain by the time he left the Air National Guard. In 1961-62 he was active duty, serving in France during the Berlin Wall Crisis.
During his career in public broadcasting, Fornshell was a member of several related organizations, including the National Academy of Television Arts and Science, Broadcast Pioneers, the National Association of Educational Broadcasters, Central Educational Network and the Society of Professional Journalists. During his time with these organizations, he served in a variety of leadership positions, including Vice-President of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and as Chairman of Central Educational Network.
As part of his service to the State of Ohio, Fornshell was a member of numerous committees and task force and was statutory member of the Ohio School-Net Commission from 2001-2003. He was included in several editions of Who’s Who in America.
In addition to his parents, Fornshell was preceded in death by his Son, John, his brother, Chad and by his wife, Liz. He is survived by loving wife, Dee, stepchildren David Clinger, Scott Clinger, Melanie McMichael and Randy Clinger, Christopher and Michelle Crum, Rebecca and George Gibbs; granddaughter Katherine McCall-Crum, grandsons Matthew and Aaron Crum, and by “adopted” grandsons, Connor and Nicolas Geelan. He also is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and by a special sister-in law, Claire Fornshell.
Per Daves wishes there will be no services.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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