We were really saddened to learn of the death of KDC's Past President, Robert G. Breetz this past Thursday. Our condolences are extended to the entire Breetz family, including his son Matt, who is also a Past President of KDC. Louisville has lost a fine leader.
Robert G. Breetz, Sr., Louisville - 82, unexpectedly filed his final brief Thursday March 22, 2018, at 4 PM. He was born May 25, 1935, in Covington, KY to Herbert George Breetz of New Albany, IN and Evelyn Bechtold Breetz of Covington, KY.
Bob was a loving husband, a dedicated father and grandfather, an extraordinarily compassionate lawyer and judge, and a friend to all. He has long been known for his keen intelligence, wonderful sense of humor, and kind, generous, and loving nature. After attending seminary for a time, he moved to Louisville and entered law school, graduating from the University of Louisville School of Law in 1960. He was a member of the Kentucky National Guard for a number of years, where he was told he couldn't even peel a potato well. He was a founding member of the Louisville recreational softball team, the Heffalumps, where he routinely turned triples into singles by virtue of his exceptional speed. His talents were put to their best use in his long and varied legal career, beginning as a law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Roy Shelbourne, working as an associate and then for decades as a partner in the law firm Stites & Harbison, as a judge on the Kentucky Court of Appeals, and as the initial claims counsel and subsequent COO of Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company of Kentucky. He retired in 2010 but still loved the law and used his knowledge to help others even after he retired.
Bob lost the love of his life, Dalarna Gayle Tuttle, in 2014, after 53 years of marriage. He is survived by his five children, Robert Gregory "Greg" (Ginger) of Franklin, TN, Bethany Ann "Beth" (Ron Loughry) of Louisville, Juliet Marie "Julie" Miller-Breetz (Greg) of Towson, MD, Matthew Warren "Matt" (Sandra) and Christopher Alan "Chris" (Brigid) both of Louisville, KY, twenty grandchildren (Jordan, Bailey, Kenzie, Trey, Walker, Mason, Jemma, Katie, Madeline, Anna, Jude, Tibebe, Kaleab, Nathaniel, Abigayle, Hawi, Aden, Austen, Tristan and Emma) his brother William "Bill" Breetz of Cincinnati, OH and his sister Ann (Dick) Elmer of Wilmington, NC. He also left behind a men's group he participated in for over 40 years who supported one another during the ups and downs of life, a group of friends he and Dalarna had since their college days, and a wonderful community at Magnolia Springs, where he lived the last couple of years playing poker or bridge or both almost every day. Finally, his family wishes to thank the "dream team" at University of Louisville Hospital, including the many fabulous nurses and others on 7 West, who provided excellent care and showed great compassion during his final week.
Visitation will be at Pearson's,149 Breckinridge Lane on Monday, March 26 from 1 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 27 at Beulah Presbyterian Church, 6704 Bardstown Road, with visitation afterwards at the church.
In lieu of flowers donations to either Kentucky Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (KCADP.org) or Fern Creek Highview United Ministries (FCHUM.org) would be greatly appreciated.