Bruce Baumhower remembers vividly how, as "just a 29-year-old kid" in 1983, Lloyd Mahaffey would pick him up for lunch from his job at Toledo Jeep, drive him over to Inky's Italian Foods, and school the young man in how to be a labor leader.

"He was my mentor," said Mr. Baumhower, who has been president of United Auto Workers Local 12 for 16 years. "We would sit there at lunch and he would explain arbitration, and how to file a grievance, and how to be a labor leader, really. He was like a walking encyclopedia."

Mr. Mahaffey announced this week that he will retire as the UAW's Ohio regional director after more than 10 years in office. His retirement April 30 occurs during one of the most tumultuous times in the auto industry's history.

Mr. Mahaffey turned 65 in February. Under UAW bylaws, he is prohibited from seeking another four-year term as director of the union's Ohio region. Although he could have finished out his term, which doesn't officially end until summer, 2010, Mr. Mahaffey said he chose to step down at the end of April, two months after his birthday, to make way for his successor.

Regional union representatives will meet this month to determine who will complete the rest of Mr. Mahaffey's term, but assistant director Ken Lortz is widely expected to move into the job.

"I've known my plans for quite a while, so Ken's ready to hit the ground running," Mr. Mahaffey said. "I could have stayed on another year, but you don't know what the situation will be like a year from now. By going right now, I know it will be a smooth transition."

The union leader, who oversees 134,000 active and retired UAW members in Ohio, has been a behind-the-scenes force in local labor and political circles for more than a decade.

Statewide and local political candidates often sought his counsel - and his financial and political support - both while they were campaigning and after they were elected.

When he has been thrust into the limelight - in 2004, he angered some Democrats when he backed Pete Gerken's successful bid to oust incumbent Lucas County Commissioner Harry Barlos - Mr. Mahaffey hasn't stayed there.

Instead, he's melded back into the background where he's more comfortable, helping those who ask for it.

Mr. Mahaffey got his start working on the line of a Tecumseh Products plant in Marion, Ohio, before taking a staff job with the union in 1973. He moved to the Ohio Region in 1982, and became its assistant director under Regional Director Jack Sizemore in 1986. When Mr. Sizemore retired in 1998, Mr. Mahaffey was elected to replace him.

"Lloyd Mahaffey is one of the best labor leaders in our country today," UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said in an e-mail to The Blade. "He is a man of integrity who is respected throughout the UAW and all of organized labor, the business community, and the political arena." Mr. Gettelfinger also has announced that he will not seek another term.

Dick Hanley is a retired executive from Owens-Illinois Inc. who never had to negotiate a labor contract across the table from Mr. Mahaffey but grew to respect him through their mutual involvement in the Toledo Labor Management Citizens Committee.

"My impression has always been that the UAW needs more people like him to represent them. From a management perspective, he really does have an open mind, and he is willing to listen," Mr. Hanley said.

For his part, Mr. Mahaffey said he plans to stay in the area, visit his grandchildren, and "maybe build a few musical instruments." He's built four acoustic guitars, and wants to become better at the craft.

He remains concerned about the shape of the domestic auto industry and that a new generation of labor leaders can overcome its challenges.

"You worry about the people coming behind you with this economy," he said.

Contact Larry P. Vellequette at:

lvellequette@theblade.com

or 419-724-6091.

First Published April 3, 2009, 9:02 a.m.