[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 70 (Wednesday, May 16, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S3231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING JUDGE ROBERT E. COYLE

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
honoring the memory of Judge Robert E. Coyle, a talented jurist, a 
respected member of the community, and a kind and gentle man. Judge 
Coyle passed away on May 7 in Fresno at age 82.
  A Fresno native, Robert Coyle received his B.A. from Fresno State 
College in 1953 and his J.D. from the University of California, 
Hastings College of the Law in 1956. After law school, he began his 
legal career as a deputy district attorney in Fresno County before 
working as an associate at Hansen, McCormick, Barstow and Sheppard from 
1958 to 1961 and as partner at McCormick, Barstow, Sheppard, Coyle and 
Wayte from 1961 to 1982.
  Judge Coyle was nominated to the Eastern District bench by President 
Reagan, confirmed by the Senate on March 31, 1982, and served as chief 
judge of the district from 1990 to 1996, when he took senior status and 
continued to take cases until 2006.
  Judge Coyle played an instrumental role in the construction of new 
Federal courthouses in Sacramento and Fresno. For 13 years, he led the 
effort to build the Fresno courthouse, often seen shuttling from his 
chambers to the construction site with his hard hat in hand. His 
passion for this project once prompted him to ride in a suspended 
platform to some 300 feet above the ground to get a glimpse of the view 
that is now enjoyed by the building's occupants and visitors. After 
taking in the views of his beloved hometown and the breathtaking Sierra 
and beautiful Coastal Range, Judge Coyle compared his experience to 
``riding on a cloud.''
  I am proud to have introduced legislation that led to the naming of 
the Federal courthouse in downtown Fresno as the Robert E. Coyle United 
States Courthouse. The nine-story building stands as a reminder to the 
community and people of California of the dedicated work of Judge 
Robert E. Coyle.
  Judge Coyle was always admired for his sharp intellect, collegiality, 
and gentlemanly ways. A giving person, he lent his time and talents to 
a number of community causes, including service on the board of 
trustees of the United Way Advocate. In his leisure time, he enjoyed 
spending time at the family cabin above Bass Lake.
  I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife of 59 years, Faye; his son 
and daughter-in-law, Robert and Kim; and his daughter and son-in-law, 
Barbara and Michael Vellone; and his grandchildren, Hunter, Sydney, 
Morgan, and Matthew.
  Judge Coyle will be greatly missed.

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