Judge William Ammer

JUDGE WILLIAM AMMER

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute here on the floor of the U.S. Senate to a dear friend, a gracious man, and a wonderful human being. That man is former Pickaway County, OH, Common Pleas Judge William Ammer. Judge Ammer, of Circleville, Ohio, passed away January 30, 2003 at the age of 83.

William Ammer was born on May 21, 1919, to Moses and Mary Ammer. He graduated from Circleville High School in 1937, and then went on to receive a business degree from the Ohio State University. After serving in the U.S. Army for 3 years during World War II, he returned to Ohio State to get his law degree.

After law school, he quickly proved himself a skilled attorney. He served as Assistant Ohio Attorney General from 1951 to 1952 and then returned to Pickaway County as a prosecuting attorney from 1955 to 1957.

During this time, he was also Circleville's Assistant City Prosecutor, while finding the time to maintain a busy private law practice. He developed a reputation as a tireless worker and dedicated public servant.

In 1957, he was appointed to the post in which he would serve the rest of his career-he was appointed Pickaway County Common Pleas Court Judge and was re-elected to this post every six years until his retirement on December 31, 1994.

While serving on the bench for those 37 years, Judge Ammer handled more than 30,000 cases. Few of these cases were appealed, and most of those cases that were appealed were affirmed by higher courts. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I can tell you that this low reversal rate is one of the best indicators of a good, sound judge.

But I can also say that another great indicator is the man's reputation in the community. Anyone who knew Judge Ammer, and anyone who knew the attorneys who practiced in Pickaway County or the area certainly knew Judge Ammer's great reputation. And they knew how well respected he was in the Pickaway County community and the surrounding counties.

In addition to handling cases in Pickaway County, Judge Ammer often was assigned to preside in other counties by the Supreme Court of Ohio. This is also the mark of a good, well-respected judge. Only those capable of handling the toughest cases are sent on assignments to other jurisdictions. Once again, Judge Ammer's reputation for hard work and diligence clearly preceded him.

While Judge Ammer was frequently sent on assignment outside of Pickaway County, his heart remained in Circleville. Each year, Judge Ammer sent out memorable Christmas cards depicting Circleville landmarks.

Certainly my wife Fran and I each year were recipients of those Christmas cards as were so many other people. And we always looked forward to receiving them. These cards reflected his love for the community and were eagerly awaited each holiday season by those of us fortunate enough to be on his Christmas card list.

Judge Ammer was also involved with a number of community organizations. He was President of the Ted Lewis Museum, an institution honoring that great native of Circleville. He was actively involved in the American Legion, the Kiwanis Club, the Pickaway Country Historical and Genealogical Society, and the Masonic Lodge.

Perhaps the greatest testament, however, to his connection to the Circleville community comes now after his death. As the last member of the Ammer family in Circleville, Judge Ammer arranged to have much of his estate go toward providing scholarships for Circleville High School students. This act certainly reveals Judge Ammer's generous and giving nature and his desire to help other Circleville natives succeed.

In tribute to Judge Ammer, who has been a true role model for so many of us in Ohio, my wife Fran and I say thank you. Judge Ammer was a kind human being who left an unbelievable print on the lives of so many countless people who he touched. He truly helped people. He changed lives. He made a difference. We all miss him. We miss him dearly. He will always be remembered by his beloved community.