Bob Abbott

WICHITA- Abbott, Bob, 77, retired Kansas Supreme Court Justice, died March 23, 2010 in Wichita, Kansas. Justice Abbott was born in Hodgeman County, the youngest child of Jesse Andrew and Ida Fern Abbott. He is survived by Kaye Cummings Abbott, his wife of 53 years; his children, Judge Bryce and Jana Deines-Abbott of Wichita, Robert Bren and Cecilia O'Connor-Abbott of Kansas City, Missouri, Kyle Ann Abbott of Wichita, Jayme and Blake Abbott-Anderson of Salt Lake City, Utah; five grandchildren, Logan Abbott, Caroline Abbott, Reid Abbott, Carter Abbott and Marleigh Anderson. He is also survived by his sister, Alice Bump of Hill City, Kansas; his brother, Keith Abbott of Beaver, Oklahoma, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Wilma Babcock, and brothers, Lester, Lyle, George, Jesse, and Ray. Justice Abbott served the people of Kansas for 26 years as a Supreme Court Justice and as Chief Judge of the Kansas Court of Appeals. He practiced law in Junction City, Kansas until he became the first person appointed to the Court of Appeals when it was re-established in 1977 by Governor Robert Bennett, and he served as its Chief Judge until he was appointed to the Kansas Supreme Court in 1990 by Governor Mike Hayden. As private attorney he proudly represented people from all walks of life and served as the City Attorney for the City of Milford, Kansas, Grandview Plaza, Kansas and others. Justice Abbott graduated from Jetmore High School in 1950. He received his AA degree from Dodge City Junior College in 1952 where he was a three-sport letterman, a BS degree from Emporia State University in 1956, graduated second in his class from Washburn University School of Law in 1960, and received his Masters of Law Degree from the University of Virginia in 1986. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force serving as a navigator aboard a C-124 from 1953-1954. Justice Abbott served as an adjunct professor at the Washburn Law School, teaching Professional Responsibility from 1978 through 1988. He received Distinguished Alumnus Citations from Dodge City Community College, Emporia State University, and Washburn University Law School. While serving the Courts, Justice Abbott wrote over 2,000 opinions and participated in thousands more. He also served as Senior Editor of the Kansas Bar Association Appellate Practice Manual, as Chairman of the Continuing Legal Education Committee from 1970 to 1975, as member of the committee that authors the Pattern Jury Instructions used throughout the State of Kansas, and as a member of the Board of the Directors of the Kansas Bar Foundation. He gave freely of his time to countless community organizations and causes. He will be remembered for many more things from his public life. His family will remember him as their little league coach, hunting and fishing partner, rabid KU football and track fan, mentor and role model. Memorial established with the Kansas Bar Foundation, 1200 SW Harrison, Topeka, KS 66612-1806. Services will be held at Grace Episcopal Cathedral in Topeka, Kansas on April 1, 2010 at 1:00 PM. Downing & Lahey Mortuary West. Tributes may be sent to the family via www.dlwichita.com. Bob Abbott