Ohio State Director Passes Away Unexpectedly

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Stephen W. Puchta, the Ohio State Director of Pupil Transportation, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday. He was 65.

Puchta worked for the Ohio Department of Education as the director of field services/pupil transportation. He had retired as superintendent of Upper Sandusky High School in 2006, according to his obituary.

On the funeral home website where Puchta’s obituary is posted, several members of the pupil transportation community commented on his dedication to education and transportation. One commenter referred to him as a “super transportation leader,” and another wrote that he “took over a difficult position, professionally, and did a great job for the state of Ohio.”

Puchta, who was was born in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Master’s degree.