Robert E. Cato

Robert E. Cato, a former member of the University of Louisville, Board of Trustees, and a prominent Kentucky Criminal Defense lawyer who won many hard fought battles with some of the best prosecutors across the commonwealth of Kentucky, lost the last battle of his life on Saturday night, July 12, 2008, at the Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. He was 67. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter L. Cato, Sr. and Edna Young Cato. He is survived by his son, Major Robert E. (Pete) Cato II, his daughter-in-law, Sherry Cato, and his granddaughter, Rowan Elizabeth Cato. He is also survived by his brother, Walter L. Cato, Jr. and his wife Joyce, nieces and nephews. Robert Erbin Cato (Bob) was born on Feb. 25, 1941, and spent his childhood in southeast Texas in the city of Beaumont, where his love of hunting, fishing and football began. He learned about the Lord from the Nuns at his Catholic school, and he sometimes served as an altar boy in God’s house. He was taught discipline from his parents, who instilled in him the strength of a positive attitude.Later, life led Bob to Shively, Ky., near Louisville, where he attended St. Helen’s Elementary School, matriculated to Butler High School where he was taught the manly discipline of football, a passion he carried into adulthood where he was certified as a high school football official and as such, served his community for decades. Those high school years also started his education in mechanics. He loved working on his own cars and the cars of friends, where he often labored hours with no other compensation than the personal joy of helping friends. Bob’s love of cars and motorcycles led him to own the coolest and most excellent of these. The Karmann Ghia, Porsche, VW Bus, Corvair Convertible, Shelby GT-350, and Japanese motorcycles long before they were considered cool. He displayed a strong affection for dogs and leaves behind his faithful friend and hunting partner, his black Labrador, Leader. 1958 through 1966 were Bob’s college years. His undergraduate years at the University of Kentucky were full of flag football, practical jokes pulled on his friends, bouts of drinking too much, playing too hard and letting his studies slide until, before tests, he had to dedicate intense, stress filled hours to cram sessions, yet Bob’s impressive intelligence managed and delivered better grades than many of his more disciplined contemporaries. At UK, he joined Pi Kappa Alpha social fraternity. He was awarded a Juris Doctorate degree, passed the bar and became a member of the Kentucky Bar Association in 1966.Shortly after gaining admission to the Kentucky Bar Association, Bob pulled a short stint in the U. S. Marine Corp where he partook in boxing for the Corp and was honorably discharged on April 6, 1966. When discharged, he went to work for the Department of Highways as a condemnation attorney out of the District offices of Manchester and Somerset. Thereafter, he joined the ranks of the self employed and opened his own office in London, Kentucky where he practiced for 43 years. His private practice advanced him with heralded success into the ranks of the most successful criminal defense attorneys. Bob successfully defended and obtained acquittals for bank officers, attorneys, gypsies, bootleggers, and others of the variant species who wander into a small town law office seeking trusted help. Through all this, he also maintained a substantial, lucrative and admired civil practice with emphasis on plaintiff’s cases. He was a member with the right to practice before the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Kentucky, The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the U. S. Court of Claims, the U. S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States of America. He acted as consultant for other lawyers on their cases. He was a member of the Kentucky Trial Lawyers Association. Bob loved his work and his legal staff, Carol Clark and Robin Hamilton, who in return loved and admired him. Bob was a tireless advocate and trial lawyer. Whether he won or lost, ethical lines set in his own soul and set by his profession guided his practice.Bob was a man’s man who worked hard and played hard. Bob enjoyed life. He loved his family. He loved his many friends. He loved to cook for his friends. He sacrificed his garage for months on end with his son, Pete, to assemble a complete automobile. He was a volunteer firefighter, a little league coach, a referee of high school football, a proud member of the NRA and an instructor for carry/concealed permits. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited and annually attended the “Coot, Carp and Bogtrotters Association.” banquet in Louisville. Bob had been shot, snake bitten and struck by lightening. Bob’s mind was crammed full of “obscure facts for the day” and he loved to share them. Bob loved to tell tales. If one caught himself in an unusual situation witnessed by Bob, that person could well find himself immortalized in one of Bob’s oft repeated stories, and occasionally one could recognize the tale. His life took an endlessly twisting path, but he was never boring.Bob loved his family. He loved and had immense pride for his son, Pete who carries on the family tradition of service in the United States Marine Corp. Bob’s granddaughter, Rowan, walked in a special place within Bob’s heart. Bob loved his daughter-in-law, Sherry, as most men love their own daughters. Bob’s brother, Walter L. Cato, Jr. was a lifelong friend, confidant and companion. Bob was a man who acknowledged God, and believed in Jesus Christ. Bob affirmed that he was a Christian. Bob loved Bible discussions with friends about God’s will. He was a member of Saint William Roman Catholic Church in London, Kentucky.Robert Erbin Cato’s funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, the 16th day of July 2008 at 3 o’clock p.m. at the Saint William Roman Catholic Church located at 521 W 5th Street, London, Kentucky. The service will be followed by an informal memorial and gathering at the parish meeting hall. A private, family only interment will be held at a later date. Complying with the wishes of Mr. Cato there will be no pre-service visitation. Memorial contributions in the name of Robert Erbin Cato may be sent to: Wounded Warriors Family Support 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 10 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 or charity of choice.http://www.woundedwarriors.org/donors.htm Obituary was written by Bob's beloved and faithful friend Attorney Dale B. Mitchell in loving remembrance of Robert E. Cato.