Richard George Kopf

1946 - 2025

Richard George Kopf

December 1, 1946 - January 17, 2025

Richard G. Kopf died peacefully at home on Friday, January 17, 2025. He was born to Richard H. and Naomi (TenBroeck) on December 1, 1946 in Toledo, Ohio. Rich grew up in Toledo and St. Petersburg, FL and graduated from Maumee High School in 1965. Rich then enrolled at Kearney State College (UN-K) and graduated with honors in 1969.

He married Verdella Blank in August of 1969. Awarded a scholarship, Rich started law school that fall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated in 1972 with Distinction and Order of the Coif. He clerked for two years for the Honorable Donald R. Ross, Judge for the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Following his clerkship, Rich began the practice of law with the Ed Cook law firm in Lexington, Nebraska. His wife, Verdella, died suddenly in December of 1986 just as Rich was appointed an Article I Federal Magistrate Judge and the family moved to Omaha. He married Joan Wagoner in April of 1992 and was tapped by George H. Walker Bush to fill the open Article III District Judgeship. He received his commission on May 26, 1992. The family moved to Lincoln where Rich sat for the rest of his judicial career.

Rich served as the District's Chief Judge from 1999 to 2004. While Chief Judge, Rich supervised the court's transition from paper to electronic filings for which the Nebraska District Court received national recognition and became a role model for other districts. He served as Board Chair of the Historical Society of the US Courts of the 8th Circuit from 2005 to 2020 and served as President from 2001 to 2005. He also served on the national Judicial Ethics Committee for six years, led the Robert Van Pelt Inns of Court, taught Trial Advocacy for several semesters at UN-L Law School and was recognized as the Distinguished Alumnus of 2015 by the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Rich would tell you his most rewarding accomplishment was mentoring young lawyers during their legal careers.

Rich is survived by his wife, Joan, children and grandchildren: daughter Marne (Pat) Byrd of Omaha, daughter Lisa Sedlacek and grandchildren Petra, Milan and Zora of Pristina, Kosovo, and son Keller (Stacey) and grandchildren Fletcher, Indigo and Kipling of Darwin, Australia, sisters Julie (Paul) Keech and Amanda (Jim) Powers of Sandusky, Ohio, step-siblings Dr. William (Diane) Tatum of Jacksonville, FL and Beth Tatum of Tampa, FL, many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Verdella, in-laws Dr. Bill and Merle Blank of Toledo, Ohio and John and Florence Wagoner of Grand Island, NE, beloved brother Christopher (Kip), and mentors Don R. Ross and Ed Cook.

Per his request, Rich was cremated and no memorial service is planned at this time. Memorials to the UN-L Law School or donor's choice. Condolences online at www.aspenaftercare.com.