Ralph B. Guy Jr.
American judge (1929–2026)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ralph Bright Guy Jr.[1] (August 30, 1929 – April 20, 2026) was an American jurist who served as a judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Ralph Guy | |
|---|---|
| Presiding Judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review | |
| In office May 19, 2001 – May 19, 2005 | |
| Appointed by | William Rehnquist |
| Preceded by | Paul Hitch Roney |
| Succeeded by | Edward Leavy |
| Judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review | |
| In office October 8, 1998 – May 19, 2005 | |
| Appointed by | William Rehnquist |
| Preceded by | Bobby Baldock |
| Succeeded by | Bruce M. Selya |
| Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit | |
| In office October 17, 1985 – September 1, 1994 | |
| Appointed by | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Seat established |
| Succeeded by | Eric L. Clay |
| Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit | |
| In office September 1, 1994 – April 20, 2026 | |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan | |
| In office May 12, 1976 – October 17, 1985 | |
| Appointed by | Gerald Ford |
| Preceded by | Frederick William Kaess |
| Succeeded by | Lawrence Paul Zatkoff |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 30, 1929 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | April 20, 2026 (aged 96) |
| Education | University of Michigan (BA, JD) |
Life and career
Born on August 30, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan,[2] Guy received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from the University of Michigan in 1951 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School in 1953. He was in private practice in Dearborn, Michigan from 1954 to 1955. He was an assistant corporation counsel for the City of Dearborn from 1955 to 1958, and corporation counsel for that city until 1968. He was then a Chief Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan until 1970, going on to serve as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan until 1976.[3]
Federal judicial service
On April 26, 1976, Guy was nominated by President Gerald Ford to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan vacated by Judge Frederick William Kaess. Guy was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 11, 1976, and received his commission the following day. His service terminated on October 17, 1985, due to elevation to the Sixth Circuit.[3]
On July 23, 1985, President Ronald Reagan nominated Guy to a new seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit created by 98 Stat. 333. He was again confirmed by the Senate on October 16, 1985, and received his commission the following day. He assumed senior status on September 1, 1994.[3]
Death
Guy died on April 20, 2026, at the age of 96.[3]