Judge Ronald J. Suster
The Court is saddened to learn of the passing of Judge Ronald J. Suster at the age of 81. Judge Suster served on our Bench from 1995 through his retirement on December 31, 2012.
Born October 31, 1942, in Cleveland, Judge Suster attended Oliver Hazard Perry Elementary School, St. Joseph High School, and Western Reserve University. He then attended Case Western Reserve University School of Law, graduating in 1967, during which time he worked nights and weekends delivering mail for the U.S. Postal Service.
Judge Suster began a long and successful career as an attorney, first as an Assistant Law Director for the City of Cleveland, and then as an Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor for several years.
In 1980, Ronald Suster was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives, where he proudly served the people of his district for almost 15 years. While in the Ohio Legislature, he served on many committees, won numerous awards and was well-respected by members of both political parties. In 1995, he was appointed by then Governor George Voinovich to be a judge of the Cuyahoga Court of Common Pleas. Judge Suster was known for his legal expertise and high ethical standards. Even after retiring from the Bench, he occasionally was assigned to adjudicate further cases as a visiting judge.
“Judge Suster was a true public servant,” says Administrative and Presiding Judge Brendan J. Sheehan. “I knew him for almost my entire legal career. I practiced before him and learned so much from him when I became a Judge 2009. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Judge Suster is survived by Patricia, his wife of 49 years, and their three children.