By Vicki Prichard
NKyTribune contributor
Anyone who ever has ever run for an elected position will likely say that walking door-to-door was the toughest part of the campaign. Kenton Circuit Court Judge Kathy Lape may be the exception.
“I found that going door to door was a privilege because people would talk about my dad,” says Judge Kathy Lape, who took her place on the bench in November 2014. She was sworn in by her father, retired Judge Raymond Lape, who held that very seat for sixteen years.
“We were the dynamic duo,” she says.
Judge Raymond Lape died Wednesday, just two weeks shy of his 88th birthday.
“I’ve been watching him for my whole life, thinking how can I be like that? It just has to be better karma and a happier heart,” says Judge Kathy Lape. “He had the touch. I hope I’m one tenth of the judge he was.”
Born in Newport, July 19, 1927, Judge Lape earned his Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Cincinnati, and was a 1968 graduate of Chase College of Law. Prior to his legal career, Judge Lape served in the United States Navy, worked at the U.S. Post Office, served as a Kentucky State Police Trooper, and worked as an insurance adjuster for two separate insurance companies while attending the evening program at Chase College of Law.
He began his career at the law firm of Davies, Nelson and Taliaferro in 1969, and later, Davies, Lape and Quill, where he represented some of Newport’s more illustrious citizens. Judge Lape remained in private practice until 1979. During his time in private practice, Judge Lape was Assistant Kenton County Attorney from 1971 to 1979, a judge pro tem for the Newport Police Court from 1971 to 1978, and a city attorney for Crescent Park, Ky., from 1971 to 1978.
In 1979, Judge Lape left private practice when he was appointed to the Kenton County Circuit Court, First Division by Governor Julian Carroll. He held that position for 16 years until his retirement in 1995.
In 1989, the Kentucky Academy of Trial Lawyers named Judge Lape Trial Judge of the Year. He was the recipient of the Chase Alumni Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. In addition to his professional achievements, Judge Lape also acted as president of the Northern Kentucky Legal Aid Society, president of the Chase Alumni Association, member of the association’s board of governors, as well as president of the Chase Benefactor’s Club. He was also a past president of the Campbell County Bar Association.
Judge Kathy Lape says that while her father was in St. Elizabeth Medical Center Hospice, nurses wanted to know “who the rock star was because he had so many visitors all day long.”
“It’s amazing, it wasn’t just lawyers and judges, it was everybody,” Judge Kathy Lape says about the way her father enjoyed people – and they him. “It was the guy at the barber shop, the guy at the deli, people in line at Kroger.”
Throughout Northern Kentucky, many are reflecting on Judge Lape’s impact and integrity, both on and off the bench.
Attorney Rick Robinson remembered Judge Lape in a post in a on Facebook.
The first time I appeared before Judge Raymond E. Lape he asked if I was “Bucky’s boy.” When I answered in the affirmative, he requested I remain in the court and meet with him after Motion Docket. Fearing what my dad had done to him, I was pleased to learn they had worked together at the Post Office following WWII. After telling me stories about my dad and grandpa, Judge Lape advised if I ever had any problems in the practice of law, I was to come and see him first.
Today many lawyers in NKY are telling similar stories of a role-model who wore his passion for his job on his sleeve. Ray’s integrity was never questioned
Retired Kenton Circuit Court Judge, Martin Sheehan remembers Judge Lape’s compassion and guidance.
“The thing I remember most about Judge Lape, and admired most, was the fact that despite his position as judge he never lost his common touch with the people,” says Sheehan. “He had a remarkable level of compassion and empathy for those that appeared in his court and genuinely understood the circumstances in people’s lives that contributed to their legal predicaments. Throughout his career, he had an uncanny ability to remember people’s faces, names and details of their lives. As an attorney, I had the privilege to appear in front of Judge Lape multiple times and always found him to be adequately versed in the law and sound in his legal decision making. As a judge, I often sought his advice and guidance, which he gave freely. I was honored to count him as both a mentor and a friend. He was an asset to the Northern Kentucky legal community and will be sorely missed.”
Earlier in the week, Judge Kathy Lape told her father she had decided she wouldn’t participate in the Fort Mitchell July Fourth parade.
“He said, “Yes you are. I can sit at the Saddle Club and watch you go by,”” she says, adding that he was unhappy with their placement so far at the end of the parade last year. “We were number 50 and practically out of candy to throw by the end of the parade,” she says.
She agreed to walk in the parade, registered for her placement, and was pleased to tell her father that this year she was much closer to the front.
“I came back and said, “Look, dad, I’m number eight. He said, “Only Michelle Keller is in front of you.””
Sixth District Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Michelle Keller knew Judge Raymond Lape as a “judges’ judge.”
“He had a common sense approach to the law, and in how he dealt with people. Judge Lape was fair, respectful and courteous on the bench,” says Justice Keller. “He thoroughly enjoyed mentoring young lawyers and judges. When I ran for the Court of Appeals, he was quick to offer sage advice. He was a man of strong faith and solid family values. I will never forget the joy and pride in his face the day of his daughter, Kathy’s, Investiture as Kenton Circuit Judge in the Division he once occupied. He will be truly missed, not just in the Northern Kentucky legal community, but all across the Commonwealth. There will never be another one like him. “
Political consultant Kathy Groob saw the close dynamic that Judge Ray Lape had with his family while working on Judge Kathy Lape’s campaign.
“Working with candidates also includes spending a lot of time with their families. There was no one we enjoyed more than Ray Lape,” says Groob. “He worked so hard and was so proud of his daughter Kathy. It was an honor and a pleasure to spend time with Ray and the whole wonderful family. He will forever live on in our hearts.”
Tom Rouse, former Erlanger mayor, and former Kentucky Bar Association president knew Judge Lape most of his life.
“He was a long-time resident of Erlanger and actively involved in civic issues and organizations, including the Erlanger Lions Club,” says Rouse. “He became a Circuit Judge early in my practice and I was in his Court on dozens and dozen of occasions for all sorts of things. Always a gentleman. Always a friend. Always gracious. Firm when necessary but compassionate. He was what a trial judge should be. After retirement he was one of our best mediators and assisted in the resolution of countless matters before the parties were forced into the courtroom. Ray was simply a great man and great friend. I will miss him deeply, as will the entire Northern KY community.”
Attorney Steve Martin, with Ziegler and Schneider in Crescent Springs, says Judge Ray Lape presided over his most memorable court case.
“If I have a Rosebud moment, as I metaphorically drop a snow globe, the last word would be referencing a case I tried in 1983 as assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Kenton County,” says Martin.
“Judges strive to be real, fair, honest, wise, above the skirmishes but not above the parties, never haughty, just firm and rational, understandable to the litigants, and, friendly,” says Martin. “I have never been more privileged than to have practiced before Judge Ray Lape and to have called him a true friend off the bench. Many are called, few are chosen; less actually embody their selection with such grace and humanity. I knew one for sure.”
Mary Jo Meek worked with Judge Lape for nearly 44 years. He was a colleague and a friend.
“The best thing I want people to remember is his compassion and sense of humor,” says Meek.
Judge Lape was a member of the Kentucky Bar Association, Ohio Bar Association, Northern Kentucky Bar Association, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Chase Alumni Association. He was also treasurer of the Chase College of Law Foundation.
Judge Lape was married to the late Mary Lou Lape for 45 years. They were blessed with four children and seven grandchildren.
Visitation is Thursday, July 9, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Dobbling, Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home in Ft. Thomas.
A funeral mass will take place on Friday, July 10, 11:30 a.m., at St. Agnes Church in Ft. Wright, followed by burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
In memory of Judge Lape, donations can be made to the Chase College of Law or the Wounded Warrior Project
See also:
NKyTribune’s story, Retired Kenton Circuit Court Judge Raymond E. Lape, 87, has died, remembered as role model