Dorothy Teater

Dorothy Seath Teater, longtime public servant in Central Ohio, died July 29, 2025, at the age of 94. She passed peacefully at OSU Hospital supported by Ohio’s Hospice of Central Ohio with family at her side. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Teater, brother Donald Seath and grandson Joseph Teater. She is survived by sons David (Judy), James (Nancy MacKimm), Donald (Martha) and Andy (Phyllis), 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Dorothy was born February 11, 1931 in Manhattan, Kansas to Dwight Seath, a college professor of dairy science, and Martha Seath, a teacher. Dorothy attended high school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and received her bachelor’s degree in home economics from the University of Kentucky. There she met Bob Teater, her loving husband of 61 years. Dorothy taught home economics at Georgetown High School (KY) for a year while Bob served as an infantry officer in Korea. In 1953 the couple moved to Columbus to pursue graduate degrees at The Ohio State University where Dorothy received a Master’s degree in Home Economics. After graduating she served as a Franklin County Extension Agent and worked at the City of Columbus Consumer Affairs office. She also served five years as Consumer Affairs Administrator for Bank One.

Dorothy entered public service with a splash in 1980 when she ran for Columbus City Council and received more votes than any other candidate. She served six years on council, and in 1985, she ran for Franklin County Commissioner and became the first woman elected to that position. Dorothy was elected to three more terms and retired in 2001. In 1999, Dorothy was the first woman to be nominated by a major party to run for mayor of Columbus. In 1997, Dorothy and Bob jointly received the Columbus Award, presented annually by the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. In 1998, she received the Distinguished Service Award from OSU for her support of community outreach programs in Columbus.

Although much of Dorothy’s time in Columbus was devoted to public service, her proudest accomplishment was raising four boys. She loved their home on Weisheimer Road where she tended to her beautiful and expansive flower gardens. She was a great cook, especially fried chicken, cheeseball, oatmeal cookies and Thanksgiving rolls. She enjoyed visits from her grandchildren and watching them play in the swimming pool, explore the scary basement, and wade in the Olentangy River.

Dorothy was a longtime member of North Broadway United Methodist Church and, in later years, attended Meadow Park Church of God. In lieu of flowers the family would ask that contributions be made to the Wilds www.thewilds.org/wilds-fund. Arrangements are through Tidd Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00am on October 11, 2025, at Meadow Park Church of God, 2425 Bethel Road. Family will receive visitors at Meadow Park on October 10 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm and prior to the Celebration from 10:00am to 11:00am.