Charlie Bechstein is not the retiring type.
True, Friday was his last day as community banking center manager at the First Federal Bank at 1226 W.
Wooster St., closing the door on more than 40 years in banking.
That only means another door is opening. Bechstein is joining Long Electrical Services, a business owned
by his son-in-law’s family.
Bechstein, who loves to do home improvement projects, had been talking about joining the firm to help on
the business end. He figured it’d be a good retirement job. Then the Longs asked if he wanted to start
this year.
The time seemed right, so Bechstein, 57, decided to call it a day on banking, a business he started in
back in 1975.
What won’t change will be his involvement in the community.
He’s been active with the Chamber of Commerce, helping to spearhead the effort to fund the July 4th
fireworks. He’s also been active in organizing Downtown Bowling Green’s annual Classics on Main Car
Show, as well as with 4-H and the Wood County Visitors Bureau.
Earlene Kilpatrick, the chamber’s executive director is one of those counting on his continued community
service. “He truly is one of the treasures of the community.”
Bechstein grew up here, one of seven children. When he graduated from high school he wasn’t sure what he
wanted to do. He did know he didn’t want to go to college just yet.
He asked the advice of Thelma Nutter at the local Ohio Bureau of Employment office, and she suggested
banking and helped him make contact with Dick Schmidt at what was then the First Federal Bank of Wood
County.
He started as a teller. It was a good fit.
“It was a start,” Bechstein said. “I liked working with numbers and I liked working with people. It
filled both needs.”
Aside from a couple years selling life insurance, he’s stayed in banking, the last 14 with First Federal,
which is not related to the bank he started with.
Over the years much has changed. Technology has made operations more efficient, but also allowed
customers to do their banking online without meeting a banker. Tough for someone like Bechstein who
thrives on face-to-face interaction.
“You have to work harder to build that relationship,” Bechstein said. “I have to give that person a
reason to come back and see me.”
Increased banking regulations have also put a crimp in how business was always done. “They make sense
when you think about it,” he said. “But it prevents us from doing business the way we used to do it. If
you knew the customer, you trusted them.” Now sometimes the regulations “tie your hands.”
“You have to work harder to keep that personal touch,” Bechstein said.
What brought him to First Federal was the chance to work again in his hometown. He and his wife Kathy,
who retired from Bowling Green State University three years ago, raised their two daughters here.
Both still live locally. Erin, married to Aaron Holleran, operates a preschool in Perrysburg and Kristin,
married to Eric Long, teaches kindergarten at Crim Elementary.
One of the highlights of the year for the family always was the annual fireworks display. So in 2010 when
the city’s financial shortfall threatened the event, Bechstein was one of those who stepped up to raise
funds to light up the sky.
They were successful, and he’s continued with the effort.
Kilpatrick said his leadership has insured that the event continues. “It goes without saying his
excitement and love of this community and this event are truly appreciated and can be directly linked to
the success of the fireworks.”
Bechstein first was involved in the car show through 4-H, helping members sell hot dogs. Then he took on
a role with the committee, rising early to help set up so he can enjoy the rest of the day.
He owns a couple classics himself — a 1978 Corvette and a 1969 Chrysler 300, both convertibles.
He drove the Corvette back when it was new. Chip Myles owned it then, and Bechstein borrowed it to drive
his sister in the junior fair parade at the Wood County Fair. Twenty-eight years later he drove his
daughter Kristin in the parade in the same Corvette.
Bechstein said helping with community events give him satisfaction. “I can work at it and know I was part
of it.”