Judge Spiegel, remembered

U.S. District Judge Arthur Spiegel died on Wednesday at the age of 94. Spiegel had served on the court since 1980 when he was appointed by President Jimmy Carter. He presided over such high profile matters as the Cincinnati anti-gay rights charter amendment, the Fernald uranium processing plant settlement and a case involving Timothy Thomas, whose shooting by Cincinnati police in 2001 sparked days of unrest in the city. Spiegel also sentenced Pete Rose to prison in 1990 for tax evasion.

Judge Spiegel was also a marine and combat veteran who served in World War II, a father of four and an advocate for civil rights and racial equality. Although Spiegel took senior status in 1995 he continued to work and hear cases until near his death, recently issuing a decision on a voting rights case we discussed in September. The Cincinnati Enquirer offers a detailed look at his life and career, here, and has published a piece remembering the judge by Cincinnati civil rights attorney Alphonse Gerhardstein, here. WCPO and WVXU also offer remembrances of the judge.

The Enquirer reports that visitation will be 11:30 a.m. Monday at Isaac M. Wise Temple, 720 Plum St., Downtown. A service follows at 12:30 p.m. Burial will be private.