R. Eugene Pincham

Robert Eugene Pincham (June 28, 1925–April 3, 2008) was an American attorney active in the field of civil rights who served as both a judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County and later a judge of the Appellate Court of Illinois.

R. Eugene Pincham
Judge of the Illinois Appellate Court from the First District
In office
June 11, 1984 – December 29, 1989
Preceded byKenneth Wilson
Succeeded byJoseph Gordon
Personal details
Born
Robert Eugene Pincham[1]

(1925-06-28)June 28, 1925
DiedApril 3, 2008(2008-04-03) (aged 82)
Chicago, Illinois
Political partyDemocratic Party
Harold Washington Party (1991)
Spouse(s)Alzata Henry[2]
ChildrenThree[2]
ResidenceChicago, Illinois
Alma materTennessee State University (B.S.)
Northwestern University (J.D.)
ProfessionJudge

Early life and career

R. Eugene Pincham was born June 28, 1925. He was raised in Athens, Alabama.[3] He attended LeMoyne College in Memphis, Tennessee and later earned a bachelor of science from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. He then earned his law degree at Northwestern University's School of Law. He was admitted to the Illinois State Bar in 1951 and the U.S. Supreme Court Bar in 1965.

Judicial career

He became a Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court in 1976.[2] Howard C. Ryan, the Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, appointed Pincham to a vacancy created by the death of Kenneth Wilson. The appointment began June 11, 1984.[4] He won election to the Appellate Court in 1986.[2] In 1989, Pincham resigned to run for President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners with an effective resignation date of December 29th. Joseph Gordon, a former circuit court judge, was appointed to Pincham's vacancy.[5] Pincham lost the Democratic primary to Richard Phelan.[6]

Mayoral campaign
Main article: 1991 Chicago mayoral election

After then-Cook County Commissioner Danny K. Davis lost the Democratic primary to Richard M. Daley, the mayoral nominee of the Harold Washington Party stepped down to allow party leaders to appoint Pincham as the candidate. Pincham ultimately failed to mobilize African American support in the campaign and lost by a roughly three to one margin.[7]

Death and legacy

R. Eugene died of complications from lung and brain cancer at his home in the Chatham neighborhood.[3][8] The funeral was held in private at Trinity United Church of Christ, and culminated in remarks by Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.[8] A member of the American Civil Liberties Union and a lifetime member of the NAACP, the semi-retired Pincham lectured and instructed in trial and appellate techniques and advocacy. He received numerous awards for his professional and community service and activism.[9] He was also an ardent critic of the U.S. criminal justice system (also see Race Inequalities in the Criminal Justice System). Known for his dramatic oratory which drew on his own personal struggles and those of African Americans, and his tireless advocacy on behalf of those less able to speak for themselves, he was regarded by many in Illinois and particularly the African-American community, as a political and legal icon, and held as a role model by both blacks and whites who came behind him.[3]

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References
  1. "R. Eugene Pincham and Alzata C. Pincham collection". Black Metropolis Research Consortium. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  2. Edgar, Jim (ed.). "Judiciary". Illinois Blue Book 1989-1990. Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Secretary of State. p. 170.
  3. Jensen, Trevor; Mills, Steven (April 4, 2008). "R. Eugene Pincham: 1925 - 2008". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  4. Mount, Charles; Knott, Andy (June 2, 1984). "Daley rival named to appeals court: Pincham". Chicago Tribune – via ProQuest.
  5. "Judge named to fill Pincham's position". Chicago Tribune. December 21, 1989 – via ProQuest.
  6. Day, Richard; Ross, John. "Modern-day campaign tactics put Phelan on top in Cook County". Illinois Issues. 16 (6): 41. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  7. Green, Paul M. "Chicago's 1991 mayoral elections: Richard M. Daley wins second term". Illinois Issues. 17 (6): 17–25. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  8. James Janega (2008-04-13). "R. Eugene Pincham remembered for contributions to law, community". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2017-06-23.
  9. "Hon. R. Eugene Pincham Biography". The HistoryMakers. 2008. Archived from the original on 2011-05-18. Retrieved 2011-05-12.
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