From staff reports
David Ross Striebinger, chair of the Beaufort County School District Board of Education, died Sunday, Oct. 16.
Striebinger, 75, was a resident of St. Helena Island.
“Mr. Streibinger was committed to making the Beaufort County School District a world-class school district,” wrote Cathy Robine, vice chair of the Board of Education. “His passion for students, respect for educators and commitment to the community drove his work. He led by listening and evaluating. He was results focused. He will be missed.”
Striebinger represented the board’s District 2, which covers part of the City of Beaufort, Lady’s Island, Dataw Island, part of St. Helena Island, Harbor Island, and Fripp Island. He was first elected to the board in February 2016, when he won a special election to replace Bill Evans and was reelected in 2018. Striebinger, whose term on the board was set to end this year, was not seeking reelection. Candidates Chloe Gordan and Terry Thomas will vie for Striebinger’s seat in the Nov. 8 election.
“I originally ran for this seat because I believed I could help the board refocus on the primary board functions – financial oversight, management of the superintendent, and setting policy for the district,” Striebinger said in a press release in 2018. “If the board does its job well, the entire organization aligns, and the teachers and students of the district get the support they need both efficiently and effectively. The board needs to keep its focus on specific, measurable, and time-bound goals and avoid getting distracted from its primary responsibilities.”
Striebinger served on active duty in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam Era. Prior to retirement he spent his career in the health insurance industry and retired as a project officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina. He was a former treasurer of ABLE, the Disabilities Foundation of Beaufort County, and served on the boards of the Lady’s Island Business and Professional Association and Love Farm Therapeutic Riding. He earned an undergraduate degree in sociology from Morgan State University and a Master of Criminal Justice from the University at Albany.
“Mr. Striebenger was an outstanding board member and will be missed tremendously,” read a statement released by the school district. “He will be remembered as an advocate for our educators and students and we are extremely grateful for his dedication and service to Beaufort County.”
In his obituary, Striebinger was remembered as an amazing husband, father, and person of goodwill and compassionate action in our community. He is survived by his wife Jill and “son” Eric Novoa II, his brother Scott Striebinger and wife Judy.
A memorial service for Striebinger will be scheduled at a later date
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in the name of David Striebinger to The Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, Beaufort County Animal Shelter Support Fund, P.O. Box 23019, Hilton Head, S.C. 29925, 843-681-9100, or donate at: http://www.cf-lowcountry.org/
Please share your thoughts and stories about David by visiting www.copelandfuneralservice.com.
