The Honorable Judge Leonard L. Kopowski of Melbourne, passed away on Thursday, April 21 at St. Elizabeth Hospice, Edgewood.
He was a graduate of Xavier University and Case Western Reserve University Law School. He served as City Attorney for Highland Heights from 1973 to 1978 and served as Campbell County District and Circuit Court Judge for 27 years.
Judge Kopowski was also a member of St. Joseph Church, Cold Spring and St. Philip Church, Melbourne, Fr. DeJaco Knights of Columbus, Alexandria and Newport Elks.
He was known as an avid fisherman, hunter and golfer and was active with the Campbell County Game & Fish and Campbell County Bowhunters.
“Judge Leonard Kopowski served with distinction on both the District and Circuit benches in Campbell County,” said Erlanger attorney, Tom Rouse. “I appeared in his Courts on behalf of clients too many times to count and was always treated courteously, professionally, and respectfully, win or lose. Judge Kopowski was a template for how judges should perform their duties. After his retirement he was an excellent mediator an assisted in getting several of my cases settled.
“On the personal side, I considered Len a great friend. We had many laughs over the years and I know he loved to get on Lake Erie to fish and boat. I am so sad he left us so soon because he had more to give our community and his family. Northern Kentucky is a better place because of Judge Kopowski and I will miss him greatly.”
Rep. Dennis Keene knew Judge Kopowski well.
“He was an honorable public servant who served the citizens with dignity and fairness,” said Keene. “He was always taking the high road. He will be missed by a grateful community and his family.”
Judge Kopowski was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard & Doris Kopowski; wife, Barb Kopowski (nee. Frost) and stepson, Brian Chandler.
He is survived by his first wife, Bonnie (Kevin) King; daughters, Dana (Rick) Bird & Andrea Keating; four grandchildren, Kimberly, Brooke, Sean & Josie; brother, Larry Kopowski; sisters, Kathy Von Duhn & Mary Ann Bergan; several nieces & nephews and stepson, Heath Chandler. He is also survived by several step grandchildren
Visitation takes place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., today, April 26 at Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home, Ft. Thomas. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 27 at St. Joseph Church, Cold Spring with the burial to follow at St. Stephen Cemetery, Ft. Thomas.
His colleagues flocked to the visitation in Ft. Thomas, each remembering Kopowski as a good friend, a fine judge, and a fair man.
“He was such an easy judge to practice in front of,” said Supreme Court Justice Michelle Keller. “He was calm and easy going, and as a young lawyer that was so important to me. He made the practice of law easy in his courtroom, and that was respected by everyone.”
Kentucky Chief Justice John D. Minton was a Circuit Judge in Warren County in Bowling Green the same time that Judge Kopowski as on the Circuit Bench.
“”During my tenure, our Chief Justice then was Justice Robert Stephens. Judge Stephens sent me to Campbell County to observe Judge Kopowski and Judge [William] Wehr,” Minton said. “They were using an electronic litigation program that was intended to create an expedited way to deal with civil cases. Judge Kopowski and I became friends as a result. I spent days shadowing them to take their innovative ideas back to Warren County. I considered him a pleasant person, but also recognized them for the innovative ways they operated their courts in Campbell County. I considered him one of my friends — professionally and personally.”
Justice Daniel J. Venters was a District Judge with Judge Kopowski.
“I met Len Kopowski when we began serving as district court judges some 38 years ago,” Venters said. “Len knew the law, he had an abundance of pragmatic common sense with a kind disposition that made him the epitome of a good judge.”
Memorials are suggested to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 4370 Glendale Milford Rd, Blue Ash, OH 45242 or St. Elizabeth Hospice, 483 South Loop Rd., Edgewood, KY 41017.
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NKyTribune reporter Vicki Prichard contributed to this report.
I RESPECTED HIM SO MUCH. WAS A TRUE DOWN TO EARTH MAN. HE WILL BE MISSED AND I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIS SMILE