LAMP: Robert O Lampl (72) died on February 7, 2022. Robert O was born on November 29, 1949 in Pittsburgh, to Mary Ann (Herron) and Richard Lampl. Robert O graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with an industrial engineering degree (taking a break to enlist in the Marine Reserves). He was a proud Marine and used the term “Semper Fi” with many of his colleagues, clients and friends. Robert O went on to earn a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh Law School. Although he lived most of his childhood in Squirrel Hill, his fondest childhood memories date back to his summers at his Uncle Ross’ farm in the Mon Valley. Robert O lived for his work and his family, both of which were sacred to him. Robert O raised his two sons after the untimely death of his beloved wife, Leslie Alberts Lampl. Those who knew him well knew he was a loyal, caring, kind and generous friend, a flaw that belied his tough and stoic outward appearance. Besides the occasional movie and dinner, he could be found in his office doing research or at a family event with his grandchildren. Robert O was an exceptional lawyer, a rain man, a brilliant strategist and a jurist who had an encyclopedic knowledge of law and history. He could read a case, memorize it, and lay out all the facts in court. He has always strived to reach an agreement with his opposition and has been largely successful in state and federal practice in many types of litigation. He was particularly proud to have been involved in the creation of the Bankruptcy Court as we know it today following the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, which brought about many changes, including the replacement of the arbitrators by bankruptcy judges, and necessitated the creation of new rules and procedures. Robert O has served on several rules committees and has been influential in shaping the rules and procedures in local practice today. He was an iconic and legendary ‘Lion of the Bankruptcy Bar’. He, along with a select few, worked with each other, often on opposite sides, to shape the local bankruptcy system. Although he is best known for his fierce advocacy as a debtors’ attorney, he was proud to begin his career as both a creditors’ attorney and debtors’ attorney because at that time these divisions were not were just not defined. For the next 40 or so years, he practiced law in his passionate, if perhaps somewhat unorthodox, way and consistently achieved positive results in even the most complex scenarios. To put it simply, he loved the law in all its facets. He has represented many large debtors including Mesta Machine Company, Brownsville Hospital, Pittsburgh Brewing, Monsour Medical Center, Ceda Mills, Inc. and Max and Erma’s. Robert O was intensely involved and influential in the western Pennsylvania legal community and was a force of nature. He will be remembered as an excellent mentor to many young lawyers throughout his career and will be deeply missed within the legal community and beyond. He is remembered as a statesman and a warrior for people who have always had a soft spot for underdogs. Robert O was truly one of a kind!
Robert O is survived by his fiancée Jeannine Schemm; five children: Michelle A. Apessos (Craig), Elsie R. Lampl (Ben Huber) (daughters of Helen R. Przywarty), Ross C. Lampl, Sy O. Lampl (son of Leslie A. Alberts, deceased), Chase R Schemm (Alyssa), Haley Schemm Hores (Matthieu) (children of Jeannine Schemm); grandchildren: Corinne Bringe, Ella Bringe, Ada Huber, Maggie Huber, Carly Huber; and siblings: Patti (Gary) Holupka, Tommy (Lisa) Lampl, Joni Lampl Roche (Mike) and Edward (Valerie) Lampl. He also leaves to mourn several nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews, as well as their families. Friends welcome Friday, 2 p.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday, 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Semper Fi. PJC

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