Chester 'Chet' Dobis, the formidable Indiana State Representative and banking executive who became the longest-serving member in the history of the House, died on May 4, 2026, at the age of 86. Known as a titan of Northwest Indiana politics, Dobis spent 42 consecutive years representing Lake County with a reputation for bipartisan pragmatism and financial mastery.

Born in Gary, Indiana, in 1939, Dobis came of age in the industrial heart of the state. He remained a lifelong resident of Lake County, according to the Indiana House Democratic Caucus. He attended Indiana University Northwest, studying business to lay the foundation for his dual career. Before beginning his professional life, he served in the United States Army from 1962 to 1964.

His 1970 election to represent District 13, which later became District 15, marked the start of a forty-two-year legislative marathon. Former Speaker of the Indiana House B. Patrick Bauer noted his stature early on, stating, "Chet Dobis was a giant of the Indiana House. He didn't just represent Northwest Indiana; he fought for it every single day for four decades." He eventually held the influential position of Speaker Pro Tempore, serving as a key leader within the Democratic caucus.

Dobis embodied the transition from a mid-century industrial boom to a modern financial economy. He served as a Vice President at Gary National Bank, an institution that later became Gainer Bank and eventually part of JPMorgan Chase, as reported by The Times of Northwest Indiana. This professional expertise directly informed his legislative work. As the long-time Chairman of the House Financial Institutions Committee, he authored significant portions of Indiana's modern banking laws.

A master legislator, he was known for a bipartisan approach, frequently working across the aisle to secure funding for infrastructure projects in Lake County. His word-as-bond Midwestern pragmatism defined his tenure. Reflecting on his career upon his retirement in 2012 as the longest-serving member of the Indiana House of Representatives, Dobis said, "I've always believed that if you give your word, you keep it. That's how you get things done in Indianapolis and how you serve your neighbors back home." He was a multi-time recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest honor bestowed by the Governor of Indiana for distinguished service.

He shared his life with his wife, Darlene, for over fifty years, raising two children together in Merrillville. Dobis passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family.

The Dean of the House leaves behind a transformed region. As a primary architect and advocate for the creation of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, he engineered a vital engine for economic growth. This institution stands as his lasting gift to the community he spent his entire life serving, bridging the gap between a storied industrial past and a dynamic future.