The death of attorney Robert E. Evans, Jr. last week brings the book on local lawyers who were practicing when I first became a member of the Union County Bar Association closer to its final chapter. Evans, who in addition to his law practice had served for 24 years as judge of both the old County Court and Municipal Court, died March 17 at the age of 88.
He made quite an impact on me.
After finishing law school and my military commitment, it was early in 1969 when I came to Marysville as a young barrister. To my recollection, I was one of 21 practicing attorneys in the entire county.
In addition to Judge Evans and me, the others were Union County Common Pleas Court Judge Gwynn Sanders, Probate and Juvenile Court Judge Robert Allen, Marysville attorneys David Allen, Cliff Caryl, William Coleman, John W. Dailey, Sr. John W. Dailey, Jr., Jeanne Dailey, Joseph Grigsby, Robert Hamilton, Clarence Hoopes, Todd Hoopes, William Hoopes, Luther Liggett, Gary McKinley and Richard Parrott, Plain City attorney John Houchard, and Richwood attorneys Lloyd George Kerns and Ralph Godwin. Besides me, the only ones who remain alive today are Houchard and David Allen.
Evans was Marysville Municipal Court Judge at the time, a position he held until 1982. In 1972, he named me as referee of the newly created Small Claims Court division of Municipal Court, a position I have held for over 49 years. Later, the job title was changed from referee to magistrate.
What I learned from Judge Evans was not taught in law school. As I observed his demeanor on the bench, I saw a mild-mannered jurist who never lost his temper and handled difficult cases with a calming attitude that pervaded the parties before him as well as the entire courtroom. His decisions were based on the law and sound reasoning. My respect for him could not have been any greater, and it has never wavered. His even temperament was just a permanent part of his personality.
Union County is indeed fortunate to have had an attorney and jurist with the caliber of Judge Evans.