Former Judge Robert M. Fleming dies at age 90

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, at a 11 a.m. Service in Martin & Castille Funeral Home Parlor for Judge Robert Martin Fleming, age 90, who died on Friday, Oct. 16, 2015 at Heart Hospital in Lafayette.
Reverend William Ruskoski, Associate Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Broussard will conduct the funeral services.
Judge Robert Martin Fleming, a well-known and respected retired jurist and a former lieutenant in the Army Air Core, passed away on Friday, Oct. 16. He leaves behind a legacy of wit, warmth, wisdom, and generosity. For all who knew him well, from his wife Betty, to his adoring children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to his many treasured friends and colleagues, he was an inspiration and a model-a gentleman of the old school who taught us all so much.
Born in St. Martinville on Aug. 23, 1925, he was the son of Dr. Patrick Fleming and Ruth Martin Fleming, and the grandson of the Robert Martin, the state senator who spearheaded the foundation of the University of Louisiana (then SLI), and who leant his name to ULL’s Martin Hall. He graduated from high school in 1942, and he briefly attended SLI before serving as a pilot and lieutenant in the Army Air Core in World War II.
After the conclusion of WWII, he returned to Louisiana and attended Tulane Law School, receiving an LL.B. degree in 1948. He married Betty Angers of New Iberia in 1946 and they raised three children: Paul Martin Fleming, Patrick Henry Fleming, and Debbie Fleming Caffery.
Fleming began his legal career in a small New Iberia office working alongside E. J. “Bubba” Guidry, before taking a job as a landman and legal adviser for Alcoa’s Louisiana office. In 1961 he moved his family to Franklin to join the law firm that would become Bauer, Darnell, Fleming, and McNulty. After a number of years in partnership with his colleagues and good friends, he ran and was elected on Nov. 5, 1968 as Judge in the 16th Judicial District. He continued to serve in this capacity until his retirement.
During these years and up until his later years, he used his knowledge and experience in legal matters, as well as his fine mind and good judgment, to manage the land interests of his extended family. For this, his far-flung family members will always be grateful.
In addition to his professional career, he was an active leader in his community. A few of his many civic leadership roles include his tenure as head of Louisiana’s Judiciary Committee, his leadership of this Sixteenth District Judges’ Association, and his appointment by Governor Mike Foster to Louisiana’s Gaming Control Board. He also proudly accepted the honor of being chosen as the King of Sucrose, Franklin’s Mardi Gras Krewe, and as the king of the Rotary Mardi Gras in St. Martinville.
To his family, he was also a kingly figure. He was known to them as “Grand,” a word that perfectly captures the sort of man he was. He took great pride in his children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren. He also had great affection for the caregivers who watched over him in his later years, especially Ruth Hodnett, to whom the family is eternally grateful.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Fleming of Lafayette; a daughter, Debbie Fleming Caffery of Lafayette; his sons, Patrick Fleming of Lafayette and Paul Fleming of San Francisco, California; grandchildren, Joshua Caffery of Lafayette, Ruth Caffery of New Orleans, La., Brennan Caffery of Franklin, La., Zach Fleming of Houston, Texas, Anna Fleming of Savannah, Georgia, Robert Fleming of Los Angeles, California, Colleen Fleming of Napa, California; great grandson, Moses Caffery of Lafayette and two great granddaughters, Rosalie Caffery and Isabelle Mahfouz, of Lafayette.
In lieu of flowers, Donations should be made to these two ULL (USL, SLI) and ULL-affiliated organizations; The Friends of the Humanities Friends of the Humanities, P.O. Box 53581 Lafayette, Louisiana 70505-3581.
Please direct donations to: Dr. Michael S. Martin, Director, Center for Louisiana Studies, P. O. Box 40831, Lafayette, La. 70504.
The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille’s downtown location on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m.
View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com
Martin & Castille-DOWNTOWN-330 St. Landry Street, Lafayette, LA 70506, 337-234-2311.