Judge Robert Kirsch

Judge Robert Edward Kirsch, age 69, of Fort Wayne, IN and formerly of Ligonier, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, as the result of a traffic accident.

He was born January 11, 1953, the son of Frederick and Mary Jane (Zinn) Kirsch in Fort Wayne and grew up in Berne, Indiana.

On August 24, 1974, he married Carol Vawrinek in New Castle, Indiana.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carol Kirsch of Fort Wayne; their sons, Brian (Emily Schroeder) and Scott (Rebekah), both of Fort Wayne, and David (Elizabeth) of Greencastle, IN; eight grandchildren; and a sister, Carol L. Kirsch of Fort Wayne.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, James Kirsch.

Bob graduated from South Adams High School Adams County and then obtained a B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from Ball State University as well as obtaining his J.D. from Indiana University Law School - Indianapolis.

He came to Ligonier in 1978 and joined Heckner & Associates, which later became Heckner & Kirsch. He was elected Noble County Judge in 2007 and served in that capacity until his retirement in 2021. He has since served as a senior judge in several area counties.

Bob was truly a community servant. He was a decades-long member of the Ligonier Presbyterian Church as well as the Ligonier Rotary Club. He also served on the Jennie Thomson Foundation Board, the Noble County Community Foundation, was on the Board of Directors for Noble County REMC, and several boards affiliated with the Parkview Foundation. In the past year, he spent several days a week as a volunteer driver for the American Red Cross delivering supplies to Indianapolis and various hospitals.

Bob had previously served as the Ligonier city attorney, town attorneys for Cromwell and Milford, and also for the West Noble School Corporation.

Judge Kirsch was truly a man devoted to his family and to his community, and more than anything, he loved his family and being with them.

A celebration of Judge Kirsch’s life will take place at 10:00 AM on January 14, 2023, at the Ligonier Presbyterian Church. Pastor Kathy Kathary-Newton will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Humane Society of Noble County, Black Pine Animal Sanctuary, or Noble House.