[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 5, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S3725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   REMEMBERING JUDGE ROBERT BOOCHEVER

 Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, today I wish to memorialize the 
Honorable Robert Boochever, a retired jurist of the 9th Circuit Court 
of Appeals. Born in New York in 1917, Judge Boochever led a 
distinguished and balanced life while he helped to build a community, 
define the laws of a new State, and serve his country. Among the rarest 
of men, he is remembered as much for his love of family as for his 
commitment to community and dedication to duty.
  As a graduate of Cornell University's School of Law, Bob joined the 
U.S. Army Infantry and in 1941 was stationed in Newfoundland. There, 
Captain Boochever met Connie, an Army nurse, who was to be his wife 
until her death in 1999. After his 1945 discharge, the couple came 
north to Alaska where Bob served as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the 
Alaska Territory.
  In 1947 Bob entered private practice at the law firm Faulkner, 
Banfield, Boochever, and Doogan. For the next 25 years, he focused his 
diverse talents on his firm, his family and his community. As the 
leader on more than a dozen community and professional boards, he 
helped to shape the capital city of Juneau and the State of Alaska. 
Whether as president of the Juneau or Alaska Bar Association, Juneau 
Rotary, or the Juneau Chamber of Commerce, Bob had a hand in policy 
development and quality of life for a developing territory and State. 
He chaired Juneau's first city Planning Commission, helped to develop a 
comprehensive plan, and served on the selection committee to choose a 
site for the University of Alaska Southeast. He was recognized with an 
honorary doctorate at UAS, and in 1974, was chosen as ``The Man of the 
Year'' for the Juneau Chamber of Commerce. He also received a 
Distinguished Alumnus Award from Cornell Law School.
  A quiet man of many talents, Bob was an accomplished athlete. He 
lettered in four sports during high school and two at Cornell--football 
and tennis. In the Army he learned to ski, so in Juneau he helped to 
develop Eaglecrest, a highly acclaimed community operated ski slope. 
His granddaughter, Hilary Lindh, got her start there and became a 
silver medalist at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics.
  A quiet man with a twinkle in his eye, Bob loved his family and, with 
Connie, helped to raise four wonderful daughters. Complementing 
Connie's love and advocacy for the arts, he was a poet, a writer, and 
played the piano, creating stories and songs for each of his children. 
He championed family camping trips, bird watching, fly fishing, and 
made major expeditions to explore for new places to fish. He wrote 
stories for publication in Alaska Magazine about his travels.
  In 1972, ready for a new professional challenge, Bob accepted 
Governor Bill Egan's appointment to the Alaska Supreme Court. During 
eight years on the bench, he served four as Chief Justice. Many cases 
in which he played an integral part are frequently referenced, in 
particular: Ravin v. State established the right to privacy in a 
person's home; and Aguchak v. Mongtomery Ward limited a creditor's 
ability to collect a debt against a rural Alaskan by filing a case in 
an Alaska court distant from their home.
  Recognized for his protection of individual rights and liberties, 
Justice Boochever was tapped in 1980 by President Jimmy Carter to serve 
on the Nation's largest appellate court, the 9th Circuit Court of 
Appeals. The first Alaskan so appointed, he presided as an active 
member for six years before achieving senior status, which he held 
until his passing on October 9, 2011.
  Praised as a man who wanted to improve the administration of justice, 
Judge Robert Boochever was someone who championed the rights of 
minorities and the disadvantaged. His colleagues have said he was the 
best writer on the bench--succinct, clear, and to the point. He was a 
person of integrity who was honest, warm and caring; and a gentle, 
generous man who was a tireless advocate.
  Robert Boochever was among the best of men and a great Alaskan. We 
are better because of his caring and compassion for family and 
community, his commitment to public service and fair adjudication, and 
his outstanding contributions and investments in the humanities.
  Our deepest condolences are extended to his family--daughters Barbara 
Lindh, Ann Boochever, Linda Boochever, and Miriam Medenica; step-
daughters Betty Thompson, Joan Stark and Laurie Craig; his 11 
grandchildren; and his 3 great-grandchildren.

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