Supreme Court Honors Former Justice Justice Robert Holmes

During a special session of the Supreme Court of Ohio, Justices and family and friends of the late Justice Robert E. Holmes paid tribute to the memory of Justice Robert Holmes during a portrait dedication ceremony.

Justice Holmes served on the Supreme Court from Dec. 11, 1978 until Dec. 31, 1992 and was known as a meticulous and fair jurist.

His portrait will be on display on the 11th Floor of the Ohio Judicial Center in the Law Library. The portrait joins a collection of 42 portraits of other former Supreme Court of Ohio Justices, many of which hang in public places throughout the building.

Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer honored former Justice Robert E. Holmes during an afternoon ceremony in the Courtroom of the Ohio Judicial Center along with former State Rep. Keith McNamara and Justice Holmes' two sons who also spoke on his behalf.

H. Barclay Holmes, Robert E. Holmes Jr. and Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer "This ceremony has special meaning to me," said Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer, who noted that he was the "young lawyer" who replaced Holmes on the bench of the 10th District Court of Appeals in Franklin County when Holmes took his Supreme Court appointment.

"Justice Holmes lived by very strict principles and those were seen in his judicial philosophy," said Chief Justice Moyer. "His term on the Court enabled him to have a profound impact on the jurisprudence of Ohio."

Justice Holmes was first elected to public office as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives in 1960, representing the citizens of his native Franklin County.

"He sponsored and saw enacted many bills but was particularly noted for his leadership in the area of natural resources," McNamara said, noting that Justice Holmes sponsored legislation that created the Ohio Water Development Authority.

After a distinguished career spanning four two-year terms, Holmes left the chamber as the second-ranking legislative leader in the House. He spent 10 years on the 10th District Court of Appeals in Franklin County before his appointment to the Supreme Court in 1978.

"After Bob left the legislature to become a judge, it was clear that he distinguished the two professions," McNamara said. "He received many awards and honors but remained modest and humble."

"My family and I are very proud to have the Supreme Court of Ohio honor our father in this way," Robert E. Holmes Jr. said. "The outpouring of love and support that we have seen in answer to this ceremony has been overwhelming. To us, he will always be father, grandfather and uncle, which is honor enough, but it is important to see how deeply he touched those in his professional life as well. He has left a large imprint upon Ohio law, and for that we are very proud."