Friends Say Judge Cates Was ‘Fair’ And A ‘Great’ Man
December 11, 2020 at 1:55 a.m.
Friends Say Judge Cates Was ‘Fair’ And A ‘Great’ Man
By David Slone, Managing Editor, and Amanda Bridgman, Staff Writer-
Friends and colleagues remember Cates as a fair man and down to earth.
Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton and Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz issued this statement on Cate’s passing: “Prior to taking the bench, David Cates was a superior general practitioner. His knowledge covered vast areas of the law by which his clients found refuge. He was a respected adversary in the courtroom. He was an advisor and mentor to many attorneys.
“Upon taking his position on the bench, David Cates demonstrated every quality one would expect of an outstanding trial judge. Firm and fair. Trustworthy. Decisive. Strong. Honorable. Judge Cates could apply his vast knowledge of the law to ensure justice occurred in every single case entrusted to him, and he was so thorough in his preparation that his judicial decisions were clear and concise. He could say more using fewer words than anybody.
“Judge Cates promoted new ways in making our justice system better. He dedicated himself to safeguarding individual rights, designing effective alternatives to address juvenile behavior, and actively monitoring the effectiveness and efficiency of all the programs in our criminal justice system.
“Judge Cates also had tall expectations of anyone who appeared before him. He commanded integrity and respect in all proceedings. But as firm as he was in his courtroom, he was equally welcoming and approachable in his chambers – especially on Monday mornings after a Boilermakers win - or if he hooked into a trophy muskie Saturday on the lake.
“On behalf of the Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office family, we are extremely saddened by his passing and send our heartfelt condolences to Kim and the entire Cates family. Our community will long feel the loss of the Honorable David C. Cates – an exemplary jurist and a great man,” the statement concluded.
Cates was re-elected in the general election Nov. 3 to serve another six-year term in Superior Court I. Cates was elected judge in 2014.
He was admitted to practice with the Indiana Supreme Court, Northern and Southern Federal District Courts and the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. He was a registered mediator, practiced in real estate, juvenile cases, civil litigation, domestic relations, criminal, estate planning and family law. He also was the former Kosciusko County Board of Realtors attorney.
Cates received his Bachelor of Science from Purdue University in 1982 and a juris doctor from the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis. Cates moved to Syracuse after graduating law school and practiced law with Pickwick Block in Syracuse. He then worked with Rockhill-Pinnick before becoming partner at the law firm Green, Cates and Grossnickle, LLP.
His former partner there, Andrew Grossnickle, recalled coming to work at the law firm in 2014.
“I came to Syracuse to work for David and Dick Green in June of 2014. David was not only a great mentor to me but also a great friend. He was always there to offer advice or suggestions whenever I had a tough legal issue to tackle,” Grossnickle said in a statement. “What I learned from him over the years is immeasurable. David was an important figure in the community and his work affected many in a very positive way – his impact will be felt for a long time. I will miss our friendship and our frequent arguments about sports (he being a Purdue fan while I follow IU). He was a very intelligent person with a great sense of humor. I also recall the dedication, that I witnessed first-hand, he had for his two boys … they were frequently around our office in Syracuse. He was a devoted father to his sons. I am a better attorney and person for having known him.”
Cates served as the attorney for the Wawasee Community School Corporation for 26 years.
WCSC Superintendent Dr. Tom Edington released the following statement on Cates’ passing: “Dave served our board and students for 26 years, prior to his election as Kosciusko County Superior Court judge. Whether in his role as school attorney or as judge, David served as an advocate for children. His counsel was always toward making situations better for kids. Dave’s judgement and advice were well regarded by those within the legal, behavioral and educational worlds in which he operated. David Cates will be greatly missed!”
Kosciusko County Sheriff Kyle Dukes fondly remembered his afternoon chats with Cates about fishing and Wawasee basketball.
“It’s shocking,” Dukes said. “When the phone call came in, it’s like you don’t even believe it. First and foremost, I just want to pay my condolences to the Cates family and Kimberly. Judge Cates was a special friend of mine and there was one thing I’ll remember about Judge Cates and that is usually in the afternoon, I would up to his office and we would talk fishing and we’d also talk Wawasee basketball. I will miss those conversations. Judge Cates always gave me a fishing report and he was a real down-to-earth guy and definitely a community leader and somebody that I looked up to as the sheriff. Judge Cates was definitely an icon in our community.”
For many, Cates was remembered as being an avid muskie fisherman.
Northern District County Commissioner Brad Jackson, who is the Commissioners president and co-owns a construction business, said, “I’m in shock. He played basketball and was very healthy. I’m in shock. Our relationship went way before he was a judge. He was the attorney for us when I was in my 20s. He wrote the contract for our house 25 years ago that we still use today.”
Jackson recalled going muskie fishing and flying with Judge Cates.
“I’m thankful that at the most recent (Hall of Fame) dinner, we sat with Dave and Kim and we had some good conversation,” Jackson said.
He pointed out that Judge Cates did a lot for the community.
“He will leave a big hole in the community for all the things he did,” Jackson said. “I will miss him as a friend.”
“David Cates was just a great guy,” said former Times-Union General Manager Gary Gerard. “Sure, he was an exemplary judge. He was fair. He was wise. His ruminations from the bench were often times a breath of fresh air amid the discord that is so typical of small-town jurisprudence. But he also was a great friend. Every time I cast a muskie lure or take a sip of Blanton’s, it will remind me of David Cates. Mary and I will dearly miss him. Our hearts ache for his family.”
Kosciusko County Clerk Ann Torpy said she remembers working him before he was a judge and going through the election process with him.
“I enjoyed working with him,” Torpy recalled. “He was an ally to our office. I’m going to miss that greatly.”
Attorney Austin Rovenstine said he was devastated as he walked through the Justice Building Thursday morning.
“He was a great judge. He was sort of the judge of all the judges. It’s a huge loss for the entire Kosciusko County Bar Association,” Rovenstine said.
Paul Schmitt, an investigator with the prosecuting attorney’s office, said Cates “was great to work with, great to the police officers and just a great guy and it’s a tremendous loss.”
According to Kosciusko GOP Republican Central Committee Chair Mike Ragan, the governor will be tasked with filling Cates’ seat.
“He was a great guy. I liked him a lot. I was fortunate to have met with him often and we talked about more than politics. He was just a great guy, and it will be hard to replace him,” Ragan said Wednesday night.
Kosciusko Superior Court III Judge-elect Chad Miner said Wednesday, “I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for Judge Cates and I’m incredibly sad to hear that he passed away. He was such a great judge and just a real asset to the community, both obviously when he was a judge and even before as an attorney. He was just a really great guy and just an incredible asset, so it’s just very, very sad.”
Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said he was called by Warsaw Police Chief Scott Whitaker Wednesday night and told about Cates’ passing.
“I’m sad. I’m sad. He was a very good man. We’ll miss him. Nobody likes it when something like this happens. He was a good guy and he cared for the community,” Thallemer said.
Cates not only served the community from the bench of Superior Court I but also from the many organizations in which he was part of. He was a Republican Party delegate to the Indiana Republican State Convention twice, served as sergeant of arms at the Indiana State Republican Convention, was active within the local Republican party serving as former vice-precinct committee man.
Cates also was past president of the Lakeland Youth Center Board of Directors, and past president of Lakeland Community Services Board. He served Teen Parents Succeeding Board, Syracuse-Wawasee, Chamber of Commerce, Webster Lake Musky Club, past president of Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary and was a prior K21 Health Foundation Board member. He was also a past member of the Milford Library Board of Trustees, certified Indiana Hunter Education instructor and Muskies Inc. International Fishing Organization president.
Cates leaves behind his wife, Kimberly Cates; two sons, Jeryl and Jeremy Cates; stepson, Christopher Webb; stepdaughter, Abbigail Webb; granddaughter Willow Webb; along with his mother and sister.
Funeral services are scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw, with a visitation to be held from 2 to 7 p.m. prior to services. A partial obituary appears in today’s newspaper with a full obituary scheduled for Saturday’s newspaper.
Friends and colleagues remember Cates as a fair man and down to earth.
Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton and Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz issued this statement on Cate’s passing: “Prior to taking the bench, David Cates was a superior general practitioner. His knowledge covered vast areas of the law by which his clients found refuge. He was a respected adversary in the courtroom. He was an advisor and mentor to many attorneys.
“Upon taking his position on the bench, David Cates demonstrated every quality one would expect of an outstanding trial judge. Firm and fair. Trustworthy. Decisive. Strong. Honorable. Judge Cates could apply his vast knowledge of the law to ensure justice occurred in every single case entrusted to him, and he was so thorough in his preparation that his judicial decisions were clear and concise. He could say more using fewer words than anybody.
“Judge Cates promoted new ways in making our justice system better. He dedicated himself to safeguarding individual rights, designing effective alternatives to address juvenile behavior, and actively monitoring the effectiveness and efficiency of all the programs in our criminal justice system.
“Judge Cates also had tall expectations of anyone who appeared before him. He commanded integrity and respect in all proceedings. But as firm as he was in his courtroom, he was equally welcoming and approachable in his chambers – especially on Monday mornings after a Boilermakers win - or if he hooked into a trophy muskie Saturday on the lake.
“On behalf of the Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office family, we are extremely saddened by his passing and send our heartfelt condolences to Kim and the entire Cates family. Our community will long feel the loss of the Honorable David C. Cates – an exemplary jurist and a great man,” the statement concluded.
Cates was re-elected in the general election Nov. 3 to serve another six-year term in Superior Court I. Cates was elected judge in 2014.
He was admitted to practice with the Indiana Supreme Court, Northern and Southern Federal District Courts and the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. He was a registered mediator, practiced in real estate, juvenile cases, civil litigation, domestic relations, criminal, estate planning and family law. He also was the former Kosciusko County Board of Realtors attorney.
Cates received his Bachelor of Science from Purdue University in 1982 and a juris doctor from the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis. Cates moved to Syracuse after graduating law school and practiced law with Pickwick Block in Syracuse. He then worked with Rockhill-Pinnick before becoming partner at the law firm Green, Cates and Grossnickle, LLP.
His former partner there, Andrew Grossnickle, recalled coming to work at the law firm in 2014.
“I came to Syracuse to work for David and Dick Green in June of 2014. David was not only a great mentor to me but also a great friend. He was always there to offer advice or suggestions whenever I had a tough legal issue to tackle,” Grossnickle said in a statement. “What I learned from him over the years is immeasurable. David was an important figure in the community and his work affected many in a very positive way – his impact will be felt for a long time. I will miss our friendship and our frequent arguments about sports (he being a Purdue fan while I follow IU). He was a very intelligent person with a great sense of humor. I also recall the dedication, that I witnessed first-hand, he had for his two boys … they were frequently around our office in Syracuse. He was a devoted father to his sons. I am a better attorney and person for having known him.”
Cates served as the attorney for the Wawasee Community School Corporation for 26 years.
WCSC Superintendent Dr. Tom Edington released the following statement on Cates’ passing: “Dave served our board and students for 26 years, prior to his election as Kosciusko County Superior Court judge. Whether in his role as school attorney or as judge, David served as an advocate for children. His counsel was always toward making situations better for kids. Dave’s judgement and advice were well regarded by those within the legal, behavioral and educational worlds in which he operated. David Cates will be greatly missed!”
Kosciusko County Sheriff Kyle Dukes fondly remembered his afternoon chats with Cates about fishing and Wawasee basketball.
“It’s shocking,” Dukes said. “When the phone call came in, it’s like you don’t even believe it. First and foremost, I just want to pay my condolences to the Cates family and Kimberly. Judge Cates was a special friend of mine and there was one thing I’ll remember about Judge Cates and that is usually in the afternoon, I would up to his office and we would talk fishing and we’d also talk Wawasee basketball. I will miss those conversations. Judge Cates always gave me a fishing report and he was a real down-to-earth guy and definitely a community leader and somebody that I looked up to as the sheriff. Judge Cates was definitely an icon in our community.”
For many, Cates was remembered as being an avid muskie fisherman.
Northern District County Commissioner Brad Jackson, who is the Commissioners president and co-owns a construction business, said, “I’m in shock. He played basketball and was very healthy. I’m in shock. Our relationship went way before he was a judge. He was the attorney for us when I was in my 20s. He wrote the contract for our house 25 years ago that we still use today.”
Jackson recalled going muskie fishing and flying with Judge Cates.
“I’m thankful that at the most recent (Hall of Fame) dinner, we sat with Dave and Kim and we had some good conversation,” Jackson said.
He pointed out that Judge Cates did a lot for the community.
“He will leave a big hole in the community for all the things he did,” Jackson said. “I will miss him as a friend.”
“David Cates was just a great guy,” said former Times-Union General Manager Gary Gerard. “Sure, he was an exemplary judge. He was fair. He was wise. His ruminations from the bench were often times a breath of fresh air amid the discord that is so typical of small-town jurisprudence. But he also was a great friend. Every time I cast a muskie lure or take a sip of Blanton’s, it will remind me of David Cates. Mary and I will dearly miss him. Our hearts ache for his family.”
Kosciusko County Clerk Ann Torpy said she remembers working him before he was a judge and going through the election process with him.
“I enjoyed working with him,” Torpy recalled. “He was an ally to our office. I’m going to miss that greatly.”
Attorney Austin Rovenstine said he was devastated as he walked through the Justice Building Thursday morning.
“He was a great judge. He was sort of the judge of all the judges. It’s a huge loss for the entire Kosciusko County Bar Association,” Rovenstine said.
Paul Schmitt, an investigator with the prosecuting attorney’s office, said Cates “was great to work with, great to the police officers and just a great guy and it’s a tremendous loss.”
According to Kosciusko GOP Republican Central Committee Chair Mike Ragan, the governor will be tasked with filling Cates’ seat.
“He was a great guy. I liked him a lot. I was fortunate to have met with him often and we talked about more than politics. He was just a great guy, and it will be hard to replace him,” Ragan said Wednesday night.
Kosciusko Superior Court III Judge-elect Chad Miner said Wednesday, “I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for Judge Cates and I’m incredibly sad to hear that he passed away. He was such a great judge and just a real asset to the community, both obviously when he was a judge and even before as an attorney. He was just a really great guy and just an incredible asset, so it’s just very, very sad.”
Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said he was called by Warsaw Police Chief Scott Whitaker Wednesday night and told about Cates’ passing.
“I’m sad. I’m sad. He was a very good man. We’ll miss him. Nobody likes it when something like this happens. He was a good guy and he cared for the community,” Thallemer said.
Cates not only served the community from the bench of Superior Court I but also from the many organizations in which he was part of. He was a Republican Party delegate to the Indiana Republican State Convention twice, served as sergeant of arms at the Indiana State Republican Convention, was active within the local Republican party serving as former vice-precinct committee man.
Cates also was past president of the Lakeland Youth Center Board of Directors, and past president of Lakeland Community Services Board. He served Teen Parents Succeeding Board, Syracuse-Wawasee, Chamber of Commerce, Webster Lake Musky Club, past president of Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary and was a prior K21 Health Foundation Board member. He was also a past member of the Milford Library Board of Trustees, certified Indiana Hunter Education instructor and Muskies Inc. International Fishing Organization president.
Cates leaves behind his wife, Kimberly Cates; two sons, Jeryl and Jeremy Cates; stepson, Christopher Webb; stepdaughter, Abbigail Webb; granddaughter Willow Webb; along with his mother and sister.
Funeral services are scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw, with a visitation to be held from 2 to 7 p.m. prior to services. A partial obituary appears in today’s newspaper with a full obituary scheduled for Saturday’s newspaper.
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