David James Fickel, Esq.

Dave Fickel, of Swanton, Ohio, entered into heaven on July 21, 2015 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Toledo following a short illness. He was born October 21, 1953 and raised in Carlisle, PA, the son of Virginia and James R. Fickel.

He received a B.A. from Gettysburg College in 1975 where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He moved to Toledo to attend the University of Toledo School of Law, and earned his J.D. in 1978. Upon graduation from law school, Dave practiced substantially in bankruptcy, contracts and consumer law. He litigated early Truth in Lending issues, Hill-Burton claims and emerging debtor defenses involving warranties, unlawful creditor solicitations and prepaid contracts in both state and federal courts. Later practice experience involved representation of both debtors and creditors in consumer and business bankruptcy matters, employment law issues, and litigation on contract rights.

In 1982 Dave joined the Bankruptcy Court staff as the Estate Administrator, supervising the work of panel trustees and other professionals, conducting administrative hearings and monitoring case administration. He was then appointed as Court Administrator, Clerk in Charge of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Ohio, Toledo, retiring in 2014 after 32 years of Federal service.

He was an adjunct law professor at Ohio Northern University since 1986. He lectured as a visiting professor at the University of Toledo College of Law since 1994 on bankruptcy related courses. Dave was a frequent speaker on a national basis for the Federal Judicial Center and at local bar association and continuing legal education seminars on bankruptcy case administration. In 1996 he was invited to present suggested Bankruptcy Code amendments in a hearing before the National Bankruptcy Review Commission.

He served as President of Taft Inn of Court at ONU Law School, Founding President of the Waite Inn of Court at UT Law School, and on the Boards of Toledo Legal Aid and Public Defender, Corporation for Legal Assistance and Services to the Poor, and Goodwill Industries. He was a member of Barton Smith Masonic Lodge for over 23 years.

Dave met the love of his life on a blind date in October, 1988. They were engaged 2 months later, and married on April 15, 1989. They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last year with a dream trip to Jamaica.

When he wasn’t working, Dave enjoyed gardening on his 5 acre property he called Oakhill. He could always be seen at area concerts: despite his illness, he attended the Rolling Stones concert in Detroit on July 8th.

Dave’s proudest accomplishments of his life were his children, Melissa, DJ and Lindsey. He worked hard to make sure they got the best education, in the classroom and through his life lessons, and always encouraged them to aim high and be the best they could be.

Dave is survived by his wife, Carolyn; children, Melissa, DJ and Lindsey; mother, Virginia (Don) Ehr; brother, Bill (Kim) Fickel; sister, Linda Niesen; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Sue (Adrian) Millon, Liz (Kenan) Oran, Diane (Dan) Leier, Jim (Susan) Ehr, Tom (Juliana) Ehr, Mike Ehr, Catherine (Jose) Quintiero and Meg Ehr; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Rodney Fickel; mother-in-law, Marge Ehr; best friend, Tom Overley; and special friend, Marcia Bolam.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Richard’s Church (333 Brookside Dr. 43558) in Swanton, OH. on Monday, July 27th, at 11a.m. Burial services will be private at St. Richard's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Memory of Dave to the University of Toledo Alumni Association, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, or a charity of your choice.

“Thanks to all my fans at SHS. Keep on dancing!” C. Thunder

Residence: Swanton, Ohio

Memorial Mass: Monday, July 27, 2015 at 11:00 am @ St. Richard's Catholic Church in Swanton

Private Interment: St. Richard's Cemetery