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Ret. U.S. bankruptcy judge new AARP Ohio president
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: January 30, 2018
He retired as a northern district of Ohio U.S. bankruptcy court judge more than six years ago, but Judge Randolph Baxter said his desire to continue to give back has driven him to take on a brand new commitment as president of AARP Ohio.
“For years I’ve been a servant leader, volunteering for many boards and organizations,” said Judge Baxter. “The leadership position at AARP is also a voluntary endeavor, which will allow me to serve the public.
“I am very familiar with the organization as my wife and I have each been members for more than 20 years and I am excited about the opportunity to get more directly involved.”
Judge Baxter officially took the helm on Jan. 15, replacing Interim President Earl Goldhammer, who had served in the position since July 2017.
“We’re very happy that Judge Baxter accepted the obligation,” said Goldhammer, advocacy volunteer for AARP Ohio.
“Judge Baxter has a lot of experience dealing with complex issues and was very personable on the phone when we spoke during his interview.”
In an emailed statement AARP Ohio State Director Barbara A. Sykes stated, “Judge Baxter is the epitome of taking on tough problems and creating new opportunities.
“Whether we are making an impact in financial security, fighting for the rights of family caregivers or making our communities livable for all ages, his accomplishments and background make him an invaluable asset to AARP Ohio members and all Ohioans age 50 and better.”
Born and raised in Columbia, Tennessee, Judge Baxter received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Tuskegee University in Alabama in 1967. While an undergraduate, he joined the Army ROTC and was commissioned as an officer after completing his first year at The University of Akron School of Law.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1968 through 1971, fighting in Vietnam and Cambodia. When he left the Army, the judge was a captain. He received a Bronze Star as well as other unit citations for his combat service.
When he returned to Akron, he took a job as a salary administration analyst at BFGoodrich, completing law school at night at The University of Akron.
In 1973, he became courts planner for the Summit County Criminal Justice Commission.
Three years later, he opened his own practice in Akron, simultaneously serving as deputy director of public service under the late Akron Mayor John Ballard.
Prior to his appointment as a U.S. bankruptcy judge for the northern district of Ohio in 1985, Judge Baxter spent about eight years in Cleveland as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Department of Justice.
During the final four years of his judicial appointment, he was chief judge of the U.S. bankruptcy court.
Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr., former chief judge of the U.S. district court for the northern district of Ohio, first got to know Judge Baxter in the mid-1970s when they worked together as assistant U.S. attorneys.
“He was a very good lawyer and made an outstanding contribution to that office,” said Judge Oliver. “When I left that office, I was chief of appellate litigation and Judge Baxter succeeded me in that position, a position he held until his appointment as bankruptcy judge.
“Later our judicial careers overlapped,” said Judge Oliver. “He was very careful in his decision making and had an outstanding reputation as a judge.
“I think AARP is very fortunate to have him.”
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Arthur Harris has known Judge Baxter for over 30 years. They worked together at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and served on the bench together in the U.S. bankruptcy court for the northern district of Ohio.
“He’s been a wonderful colleague,” said Judge Harris. “He always listened carefully to those who came before him and he treated everyone with respect.
“He comes from a humble background and has always been generous with his time. Judge Baxter has been retired for about six years and I think he is looking for something meaningful to do with his time.
“I think AARP is a perfect fit for him since he knows the challenges facing seniors and he wants to help,” said Judge Harris.
Since retiring as chief judge in August 2011, Judge Baxter said he’s been traveling with his wife Yvonne Williams Baxter. They live in Akron and together they have four adult children and six grandchildren.
He also continues to sit on the board of the Emmanuel Christian Academy.
The judge has served on the boards of Tuskegee University, Lake Erie College, Cleveland State University Foundation, Blossom Music Center, Leadership Cleveland, the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, the Federal Bar Association (Cleveland chapter), the Akron Urban League, the Akron NAACP, Western Reserve Legal Services, Western Reserve Historical Society, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron Community Foundation, the Boy Scouts of America Great Trail Council and The House of the Lord.
He’s also a former president of The University of Akron’s National Alumni Board.
From 1989 to 1999, he served as an adjunct professor at The University of Akron School of Law and he also taught at Kent State University College of Business from 1974 through 1978.
He received Akron Law’s John R. Quine Award as an outstanding adjunct professor for the academic year 1992-93 and in 1999 he was given the Outstanding Alumni Award from the Law Alumni Association.
The Judge Randolph Baxter Scholarship has been established in honor of the judge and a UA professorship has been named for him (The Randolph Baxter Professor of Law).
Some of his other awards include the Ohio Governor’s Judicial Leadership Citation, the U.S. Department of Justice Special Achievement Award and the Federal Executive Board’s Distinguished Veterans Award.
As president of AARP Ohio, Judge Baxter said the first item on his agenda is to familiarize himself with the organization’s policies and become acquainted with the staff and regional directors.
“Each member state has its own AARP engagement and outreach plan and once I understand the plan I will see if I think it needs tweaking,” said Judge Baxter.
“One thing that comes to mind as a war veteran and immediate past president of VFW Post 349 is that I would like to see if there are any additional services AARP might provide to veterans.
“I will also decide if new initiatives need to be introduced to further help those Ohioans who are 50 and older,” he said.
“AARP Ohio has about 1.5 million members and we have not had any significant attrition rate,” said Judge Baxter. “The mission of our organization is to help those 50 and older. Membership is not required to benefit from our advocacy efforts.
“I believe my legal and leadership experience as the chief spokesperson for the U.S. bankruptcy court as well as other organizations will allow me to continue to move the organization forward.”