The governor who appointed Richard Teitelman to the Missouri Supreme Court says Teitelman’s legacy will live “far beyond the years he spent on Earth.”

Missouri Supreme Court Judge Richard B. Teitelman - Image courtesy of Missouri Supreme Court

Missouri Supreme Court Judge Richard B. Teitelman – Image courtesy of Missouri Supreme Court

Former Missouri Governor Bob Holden (D) appointed Teitelman to the Supreme Court. Holden tells Missourinet Teitelman’s death is a sad day for everyone who cares about the judicial system and the integrity of it.

“Rick Teitelman was a caring, compassionate, intelligent, thoughtful student of the court and of our culture. And his passing will be missed,” says Holden.

Teitelman, who died Tuesday at his St. Louis home, was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2002 by then-Governor Holden.

“He had all the ingredients I thought were important as I was working (in 2002) to widen the scope of the court of Missouri and be more reflective of all of our population as we moved forward,” Holden says.

Missouri Supreme Court Judges Mary R. Russell and Laura Denvir Stith were also appointed by Governor Holden.

The 69-year-old Teitelman served as Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice from July 2011 through June 2013.

Holden describes Teitelman as a “trailblazer”, adding that he will leave a mark of high standards. Teitelman was the first legally blind judge to serve on the state Supreme Court.

A memorial service for Judge Teitelman is scheduled for Thursday (December 1) afternoon at 2 at Graham Memorial Chapel at Washington University in St. Louis.

Governor Jay Nixon (D) has ordered flags at all Missouri courts to be lowered to half staff to honor Judge Teitelman. Nixon has also ordered flags at all state facilities to be flown at half staff on Thursday.