Page 20 - January-February-CBA-Report

MEMORIALS
Memorials honor the lives of deceased members of the local Bar. For more information, contact Leyla Shokoohe at (513) 699-1391 or lshokoohe@cincybar.org.
Robert L. Davis
1928 – 2021
Robert L. Davis died peacefully at age 93 on November 26, 2021, surrounded by his beloved Family. He was the son of Bryan and Henrietta Davis, and brother of Jack (Bobbie) Davis and Rosemary (Cliff) Ramsey.
Raised on the east side of Cincinnati, he attended Catholic grade schools, and graduated eighth grade from St. Cecilia’s in Oakley. He attended Withrow High School
where he was a member of the Senior Council.
After high school in 1946, he enlisted in the Army and served
in the Army of Occupation, Korea. In 1948 he started at Univer- sity of Cincinnati (UC) after returning from Korea.
His Freshman year at UC, he met his future wife in September 1948 in Western Civilization class, and lifelong love, Mary Lee Schulte. They married in June 1952 and remained married for 62 years until her death in 2014.
Robert served in the Korean War, commanded a Field Artillery Battery, Awarded Bronze Star Medal and Army Commendation Medal; and Discharged as Captain.
Upon his return, he pursued his lifelong dream of becoming an Attorney. While working for his Father-in-Law during the day in the building products business, he attended Salmon P. Chase College of Law in the evening, while also starting a family with Mary Lee. He graduated Law School in 1958, first in his class. During that time, he worked as Court Constable for Judge Simon L. Leis, and was a member of the Order of Curia and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.
He began Law Practice with Trabert & Gay; then partner in Trabert Gay & Davis and partner Gay, Davis & Kelly. In 1972, he launched his own Law Practice. Later, he became of Counsel to Dressman, Benzinger LaVelle in 2010. His law practice focused primarily on litigation, where he was involved in several high-pro- file criminal and other cases. During his career, he was admitted to practice United States Supreme Court
Throughout his career, he remained active in the legal profes- sion. Activities in Cincinnati Bar Association included member of Executive Committee, Instructor in Continuing Legal Education Programs, Chairman of Admissions Committee of Cincinnati Bar Association for Ohio Supreme Court, member Grievance Committee, participant in Cincinnati Bar Association Speakers Bureau, and Joint Committee with Academy of Medicine.
He served as a mentor in the Ohio Supreme Court Program, as president of the Cincinnati Lawyers Club and of the Chase Law School Alumni Association. Robert was inducted into the Amer- ican College of Trial Lawyers and served as Ohio State Chair for two years and inducted as Adocate into the American Board of Trial Advocates, serving one year as president of the Cincinnati Chapter.
Previously he was Associate Adjunct Professor of Law teaching Legal Ethics at Chase School of Law of Northern Kentucky University; lectured at Mt. St. Joseph College and Good Samar- itan Hospital School of Nursing; President Board of Trustees of Community Limited Care Dialysis Center.
Robert was awarded the Cincinnati Bar Association John P. Kiely Professionalism Award in 2002. He treasured this award as it represented the cornerstone of his law practice: ethics, integ- rity and professionalism. In 2017, he received the Cincinnati Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
Throughout his life, he was active in volunteer work and community organizations, including a member of the Hamilton County Hospital Commission, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Volunteer at Good Samar- itan Hospital, and a Kentucky Colonel.
Robert loved his country and was proud of his military career. He often spoke of his great appreciation for the GI Bill, which provided financial support for Veterans for their education and other areas. He believed in the principles for which America stood, and he was never without his U.S. flag pin on his shirt or suit coat lapel.
Family always came first for Robert. Spending time with his family meant the world to him, especially the annual family vacation to Destin, FL. He attended Cincinnati Red’s games with wife Mary Lee, and participated in social events at Clovernook Country Club, where Mary Lee and he had many great friends.
Robert loved his family, and they loved him dearly. He will be remembered as a smart, outgoing man, with a great sense of humor and a consummate professional. He lived his life with loving generosity, appreciated by family and friends. He gained the respect of many people with his special combination of friend- liness, humor, character, and integrity. To his many close friends and family, he was affectionately known as “Stinkey”, a nickname given to him as a boy and remained throughout this life.
Robert is predeceased by wife, Mary Lee (Schulte), and is survived by his four Children: Greg (Teresa), Randy (Krista), Jenny (Mrs. Phil Wells) and Bradley (Rachel), four grandchildren: Justin (Alisia), Emily (Mrs. Andy Haberman), Jack and Benjamin, five great grandchildren: Parker, Tyler, Lillian, Claire and Lucas, four step grandchildren: Krissey (Mrs. Josh Fischer), Mindy (Mrs. Jeremy Bryant), Jennifer (Mrs. Matt Schildmeyer) and Jamie (Mrs. Chris Baker), and seven step great grandchildren: Josh, Jodee, Alijah, Maya, Lily, Charlie and Leo
The family would like to thank Robert’s relatives, friends and colleagues for their warm and kind well wishes, and to express our gratitude for the many caregivers who provided loving support and care for Robert the past few months.
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THE REPORT | January/February 2022 | CincyBar.org