Ingram, Robert Jett

Prominent Pulaski attorney, and one of Virginia’s most distinguished trial attorneys, Robert Jett (Bob) Ingram, of Radford, Virginia, died Wednesday, September 29, 2014, at age 84. Born October 5, 1929, in South Boston, Virginia, Bob was the only child of the late Robert Edmund Ingram and the late Viola Jett Ingram.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife and the mother of his children, Jacqueline M. Ingram; and a son, Robert J. Ingram, Jr. He is survived by his wife Janet Ingram, of Radford, Virginia; his children, Dr. Lynwood D. I. Day of Roanoke, Virginia, and her husband, Webster; Bryan Carter Ingram of Christiansburg, Virginia, and his wife, Julie; and his grandsons, Frederick C. W. Day of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bladen J. Day of Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Robert S. Day of Charlottesville, Virginia. In addition to his family, he leaves behind a multitude of beloved friends, coworkers, colleagues, and clients.

Bob was the Senior Partner in the Gilmer, Sadler, Ingram, Sutherland & Hutton Law Firm.He was a graduate of Washington & Lee University with an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1951, and a Juris Doctor of Law Degree from W & L’s School of Law in 1953.While in law school, he served on the Washington & Lee Law Review.He also belonged to Delta Tau Delta social fraternity and the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. Bob began his law career as a United States Army JAG officer who spent the major portion of his military service at the Second Army Headquarters in Ft. Meade, Maryland. In January 1957, Bob joined Gilmer, Sadler as an associate attorney. From that time, he engaged in a multi-faceted general law and trial practice. He served as the firm’s Managing Partner for a period of almost 40 years.

Bob Ingram’s professional accomplishments as a trial lawyer have been highlighted by some of the following recognitions and honors bestowed upon him by his peers in the legal profession: being named annually from 1989 to the present as one of the Best Lawyers in America; being elected in June 1989 as amember in the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, reserved for only the top 1% of American trial attorneys; membership in the International Society of Barristers, an honor accorded only to America’s top trial lawyers; from 1977 until 1983, a member of the Virginia State Bar Council, and a member of the Virginia State Bar Council’s Executive Committee from 1981 until 1983; a Life Member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and an ATLA Stalwart after 25 years dedication to the Civil Justice System, as well as a member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association since its inception in 1962; a Lifetime Member of the Virginia Bar Association; selected by the Supreme Court of Virginia in 1982 to serve on its Committee for Drafting Model Jury Instructions charged with the responsibility to draft and revise standard instructions for use in both criminal and civil trials, where he served faithfully for over 15 years until 1997; since 1990, a Fellow in the Virginia Law Foundation, a State Bar group, which recognizes lawyers in the Commonwealth who have served with distinction; elected as a Fellow by the American Bar Foundation in 1994, which recognizes professional attainment, distinguished service to the Bench, Bar and the community and commitment to the legal profession, with a Life Membership in that notable group in 2003; in 2002, he was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Paul E. Patton of Kentucky; awarded an “AV” (Excellent) rating for highest standards in legal ability and ethics for over 47 consecutive years by Martindale-Hubbell, the most widely recognized national publication for rating lawyers.

Bob was admitted to practice in a number of state and federal courts, including the United States Court of Military Appeals (1954), The Virginia Supreme Court, the United States Circuit Court for the Fourth Circuit, the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, and the United States Supreme Court. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Bob devoted himself to community service.He was a champion for New River Community College, where he served on the first College Board for New River, served as Board Chairman, and continued service as a member of the College’s Foundation Board.

He was instrumental in the funding of numerous academic scholarships, including the Robert J. Ingram Scholarship. As the most senior member of the Pulaski Rotary Club, Bob brought “sunshine and rain” to the Club each Monday for 30 years, served as Club President, and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. He was also the Dean of the Pulaski Science Club; a member of the Pulaski Elks Lodge, where he served as Exalted Ruler and was named Elk of the Year; and a member of the Pulaski Chamber of Commerce, where he served as President and was named Business Executive of the Year in 1993; a member of the Town of Pulaski Planning Commission; a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board; the Hensel Eckman YMCA Board of Directors; the Pulaski United Way Board of Directors; and was active in Democratic politics, serving as local campaign manager for various statewide candidates. Bob was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church, Pulaski, where he he served on the Church Board. Bob was also an athlete, having been active in athletics at Washington & Lee when it was a national power. He maintained his love of sports throughout his life, being an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, and a fan and supporter of the Virginia Tech Hokies football team.

Bob was a lawyer’s lawyer, who exemplified the highest standards of the profession. Bob has held numerous offices and received many honors, which certainly distinguish him. He has had a long and dedicated military, professional and civic career, and enjoyed notable success in life, but perhaps most significantly, Bob Ingram was recognized for his loyalty and dedication to his community, for his wit and intelligence and love of life, and for his compassion, devotion and dedication to serving his many clients through 67 years of law practice.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m.Friday, October 3, 2014, from the First United Methodist Church, Pulaski, with theRev. Hugh Kilgore officiating.Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Pulaski.Visiting will be from 6to 8 p.m.Thursday evening, October 2, 2014at the church where the family will receive friends.