Harold R. Fatzer
{{Short description|American judge (1910–1989)}}
Harold R. Fatzer (August 3, 1910{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/whoswhoinamerica0000unse_i9z3/page/264/mode/2up|title=Who's Who in American Law|edition=2nd|year=1979|publisher=Marquis Who's Who|page=264}} – September 30, 1989) was an American jurist. He was a justice of the Kansas Supreme Court from March 1, 1956, to September 1, 1971, then served as chief justice from September 1, 1971, to September 19, 1977.{{cite news |title=Hutchinson News Newspaper Archives, Oct 2, 1989, p. 1 |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/hutchinson-news-oct-02-1989-p-1/ |accessdate=31 May 2020 |work=NewspaperArchive.com |date=2 October 1989}}{{cite web |title=Emporia Gazette Newspaper Archives, Sep 24, 1971, p. 1 |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/emporia-gazette-sep-24-1971-p-1/ |website=NewspaperArchive.com |accessdate=10 May 2020 |language=en |date=24 September 1971}}{{cite news |title=Harold R. Fatzer Retired Judge, 79 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/03/obituaries/harold-r-fatzer-retired-judge-79.html |accessdate=31 May 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=3 October 1989}} When he retired he was succeeded as chief justice by Alfred G. Schroeder and Kay McFarland was appointed to fill the remaining place.{{cite news |title=Chanute Tribune Newspaper Archives, Sep 19, 1977, p. 1 |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/chanute-tribune-sep-19-1977-p-1/ |work=NewspaperArchive.com |date=19 September 1977 |language=en}}
He was born in Fellsburg, Kansas, to John R. and Rella Shannon Fatzer, and had a sister, Helen.{{cite news |title=Garden City Telegram Newspaper Archives, Oct 2, 1989, p. 8 |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/garden-city-telegram-oct-02-1989-p-8/ |accessdate=31 May 2020 |work=NewspaperArchive.com |date=2 October 1989 |language=en}} He achieved his law degree in 1933 from Washburn University School of Law He was named assistant state attorney general in May 1943, then volunteered for the United States Army in September of that year and served in World War II until November 1945. He was married March 21, 1934 to Frances Schwaup, and they had a son John R. Fatzer.
He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was found on September 30, 1989, in his Topeka home. He left no note, but was thought to have been depressed over health issues, having heart disease and suspected lung malignancy.{{cite news |title=Colorado Springs Gazette Archives, Oct 2, 1989, p. 6 |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-oct-02-1989-p-6/ |accessdate=31 May 2020 |work=NewspaperArchive.com |date=2 October 1989 |language=en}}
References
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External links
- {{find a Grave|190372224}}
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{{succession box
|title=Chief Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court
|before=Robert T. Price
|after=Alfred G. Schroeder
|years=1971–1977}}
{{succession box
|title=Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court
|before=William West Harvey
|after= Kay McFarland
|years=1956–1977}}
{{s-end}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Fatzer, Harold R.}}
Category:Military personnel from Kansas
Category:United States Army personnel of World War II
Category:Justices of the Kansas Supreme Court
Category:Chief justices of the Kansas Supreme Court
Category:Washburn University alumni
Category:Suicides by firearm in Kansas
Category:People from Edwards County, Kansas
Category:20th-century American judges
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