Memorial Tribute Honors Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer on Law Day

More than 700 colleagues, friends and family, including about 150 judges, attended a memorial tribute for the late Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer at his beloved Ohio State University.

The ceremony included a procession of robed judges from the federal bench, Ohio courts and out-of-state courts led by the Pipes and Drums of the Cleveland Police.
In recognizing Chief Justice Moyer’s significant contributions in a remarkable life dedicated to civility, public service and the rule of law, each of the six current Justices offered their personal reflections on the Chief. Former Justices and other national and state judicial and legal leaders offered personal tributes in addition to a video tribute. Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee also offered remarks.

Some speakers chose to highlight his longevity, his jurisprudence, his administrative accomplishments. Many more focused on his character as a judge, a leader and a person.

“With a leadership style that is best described as a gentle hand from behind, he sought for us to encourage civility, work tirelessly, be patient to a fault, and commit ourselves fully to serving the greater good at the expense of ourselves,” said Supreme Court Administrative Director Steven C. Hollon, who served under Chief Justice Moyer for more than 10 years.

At the time of his death on April 2, Chief Justice Moyer was the longest-serving current Chief Justice in the country, having served for more than 23 years as Chief Justice, the second longest-serving Chief Justice in the history of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

There was probably no better place to say goodbye one last time than the new Ohio Union on campus. Chief Justice Moyer’s 50-year relationship with Ohio State began in the late 1950s as an undergraduate student. A native of Sandusky, he earned his B.A. and J.D. degrees from Ohio State in 1961 and 1964, respectively.

A memorial page dedicated to Chief Justice Moyer, including a selection of tributes from people across Ohio and the United States, is available at www.sc.ohio.gov.