Miami Circuit Court Judge Tim Spahr graduated from Indiana University – Bloomington in 1994 where he majored in music (cello) and history and obtained his law degree in 1997 from Indiana University Maurer School of Law.
From November 1997 until December 2012, he was engaged in general practice as a solo attorney, although he shared office space with his father, Rob Spahr, for the first 10 of those years and then with his younger brother, Tony Spahr, for the final 3½ years.
After his father, who was serving as Judge of the Miami Circuit Court, passed away in September 2012, Governor Mitch Daniels appointed him to that position. He was then elected to the same position in 2014.
He and his wife, Marcet, were married in Los Angeles, California, just days after taking the Indiana Bar Exam in July 1997. Marcet is a high school French teacher. She taught at Logansport High School for five years before staying home with their children for eight years. She is now in her eighth year of teaching at Maconaquah High School, which is located in southern Miami County.
The Spahrs live in Peru and have two children, Anastasia and John. Anastasia is a 15-year-old high school freshman and wants to be a writer. She also is passionate about music and plays the piano, oboe, and violin. John is a sixth grader and is interested in computers and other technology. Like his sister, he plays music. He took piano lessons for a number of years but now focuses on the bassoon.
Judge Spahr was the choir director at First Baptist Church in Peru from 2001 to 2006. He has also been a member of the Kokomo Symphony Orchestra, the Manchester Symphony Orchestra (where he served as principal cellist), and the Miranda String Quartet. His increasing professional responsibilities have ended his participation in those ensembles.
However, he still sings in the Chancel Choir at Main Street United Methodist Church in Peru, where his mother, Nancy Spahr Huskey, directs the choir. He often performs on his cello during church services with either his mother or daughter accompanying him on the piano. He periodically performs in concerts with the Peru High School Choir.
Judge Spahr has been a member of the Peru Rotary Club for the past 14 years, serving in a variety of leadership positions. He was President in 2008-2009 and serves in that capacity once again for 2017-2018. He has chaired the Club’s scholarship committee for the last five years and began serving as the chair of the Spellathon committee one year ago.
Some of his other activities and accomplishments since becoming Circuit Court Judge include:
- President, Miami County Community Corrections Board (2015-present)
- Chairman, Miami County Courthouse Security Committee (2014-present)
- Co-organized Peru’s Flag Day Celebration in 2014, 2015, and 2016
- Member, Board of Directors of the Judicial Conference of Indiana (2014-present)
- Member, Judicial Administration Committee of the Judicial Conference of Indiana (2013-present)
- Regular presenter of Constitution Day and Career Day programs at schools in Miami County (2013-present)
- Presenter of a number of judicial education programs in 2016 and 2017
- Graduate, Indiana Judicial College (2017)
- President, Indiana Graduate Program for Judges (to be completed in June 2018)
- Organized and hosted Miami County’s Indiana Bicentennial Flag-Raising Event in December 2015
- Helped emcee at Miami County’s Indiana Bicentennial Gala Ball in September 2016
- Assisted in the writing of monologues and portrayed two local historical figures for Peru’s Living History Day in both 2016 and 2017
- Researched and put together a 38-photo historical display in the law library located on the third floor of the Miami County Courthouse (begun in 2015 and completed in 2017)
What do you like most and least about being a trial court judge?
Just as was the case when I was a practicing attorney, I enjoy having the opportunity to make a positive difference in people’s lives. That is one of the great rewards of being a member of the legal profession. Also, like many other attorneys and judges with whom I have spoken over the years, I typically find adoption cases to be very satisfying.
It should not be surprising that I find the most frustrating part of being a judge to be my inability to make a positive difference in every case. As a judge presiding over Child in Need of Services cases and serious felony cases, situations in which drug addiction often is the root cause for the need for court involvement, it is extremely disappointing to me that some of the people who come before me either cannot or will not accept the help that is being offered to them.
What was your major in college and why did you decide to study law?
From early childhood, I was exposed to the legal profession. Relatives of mine have practiced law or been a judge in Miami County for the last 110 years or so. I have very early memories of going to both my great-grandfather’s law office and my father’s law office. When I was in junior high, all of the students participated in a career survey, and three or four of the top ten choices recommended for me related to a career in the legal profession. From that time on, I always knew that I wanted to study law and go into the legal profession.
Of course, pursuing a different field of study typically is appropriate during one’s undergraduate years, and so I studied in two other areas that have always had a great appeal to me – music and history. I have been fortunate because I have had the opportunity to put my training in music, history, and the law to good use throughout my adult life.
What would you do if you were not a judge?
I would return to the practice of law.
Who are the people you most admire?
There are a lot of people whom I admire. However, the three for whom I have the most admiration are my father, my mother, and my wife. From my father, I learned to love studying history, to appreciate the very important and honorable role that our system of justice plays in American society, and – perhaps most importantly – to be passionate about whatever I do.
Meanwhile, my mother instilled in me a deep love for music and an appreciation for the value of having a strong work ethic. In my opinion, having a willingness to work hard is the most reliable predictor of success in life.
Finally, my wife is the kindest person I have ever met. When I am in court, I try to treat litigants and attorneys with the same level of graciousness and respect that my wife accords to people.
What are your hobbies or favorite leisure activities?
I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, biking, and playing tennis.
Do you have a favorite book(s) and a recommended reading list?
From early childhood, I have been a voracious reader. Growing up, I especially enjoyed reading books by Tolkien and other authors writing in the fantasy genre. As an adult, I still will read that type of book, but I also often enjoy reading non-fiction books about history and music. I cannot say that I have a favorite book. There are too many that I have liked! A couple books that I have been reading and enjoying recently are The Supreme Court in the Early Republic, by William R. Casto, and Backstage at the Lincoln Assassination, by Thomas A. Bogar.
Where did you grow up and how would you describe your childhood?
The majority of my youth was spent in Peru, Indiana, where we moved when I was six years old. Before that, we lived in Fowler, Indiana. I am fortunate enough to have had a good childhood, one in which I was surrounded by supportive adults.
Do you have a favorite quote(s)?
“Prepare, prepare, prepare.” – The motto of my great-grandfather, Russell J. Wildman, who was an attorney in Peru, Indiana, for 60 years.
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
That is a tough question. My family has a very long tradition of going to Elk Rapids, Michigan, which is on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay not far from Traverse City. We still greatly enjoy going there to relax at least once each year.
However, I also really love traveling to Canada. In the last five years, my family and I have had the opportunity to go on two trips to Quebec City and a vacation during which we got to see a lot of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. My wife and I will be going to Toronto next year, too. Going hiking in Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland currently is Number 1 on my “bucket list,” and I hope to get a chance to do that in the next two or three years.
Do you have a favorite meal, recipe, and restaurant?
I cannot really say that I have a favorite meal, recipe, or restaurant. That is because I am a bit of an adventurous eater. I enjoy trying lots of different foods. The fun is in the exploration!