Out of State

Richard M. Batcher, 70, of Bettendorf, Iowa, died unexpectedly at University Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa, on Saturday, June 9, 2012. 

Richard was born August 9, 1941 in Waterloo, Iowa to Robert and Maxine (Edsel) Batcher. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1963 with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1967 he received his law degree from the University of Iowa.

Mr. Batcher practiced law at Heninger and Heninger in Davenport, Iowa, for seven years. He continued practicing law for 38 years at Bozeman, Neighbor, Patten and Noe in Moline, Illinois.

Richard was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Scott County and Rock Island County Bar Associations, the Bettendorf Rotary Club, Transitions Board, Quad City Astronomy Club and the Cornbelt Running Club.

Richard married Lynn Hagglund on June 17, 1967 in Ottumwa, Iowa.

He was a gentle man with an avid curiosity about a variety of subjects. Even after achieving a professional degree he took college courses and tutored high school physics students for fun. He was an avid reader and especially enjoyed true survival stories. Dick loved the outdoors, in particular the Rocky Mountains. He took up running in his 50's and solo hiked 176 miles of the John Muir Trail in his 60's. He was a 44 year member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. He adored his wife and children, his son in law and most recently his granddaughter, Leah Grace, all of whom loved him fiercely.

Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C. welcomes Richard Stockenberg to the firm. Dick’s expertise is construction law. He has been practicing in that area for over 30 years, representing subcontractors, suppliers, owners and design professionals, and specializing in filing and perfecting mechanic’s liens, bond claims, negotiating and drafting contracts and legislation, and seeking creative solutions to troublesome problems.

Dick is the author of more than 40 articles on construction law and was the editor and co-author of the Missouri Bar Association's Deskbook on Construction Law.  He has presented more than 70 seminars and lectures to state and national audiences on a multitude of topics of interest to the construction industry, including design/build, risk allocation, indemnification, prompt pay, bonds, mechanic's liens and retainage.

About Sandberg Phoenix

At Sandberg Phoenix, our culture sets us apart from other firms. Guided by strength, character and personality, we believe that collaboration and mutual respect are essential to the success of our firm and our clients.  This commitment has positioned our firm as one of the premier full-service law firms in Missouri and Illinois, with 83 attorneys and nearly 100 staff.  As we continue to grow, so will our commitment to delivering superior client service.

John E. Thies, a shareholder at Webber & Thies, P.C., in Urbana, was installed Friday as the 136th president of the Illinois State Bar Association at the Annual Meeting at The Abbey Resort in Fontana, Wis. His installation marks the first time both a father and son have led the Association. Thies’ father, Richard L. Thies, was ISBA president from 1986-87. View pictures from the Annual Dinner and Reception.

“It’s a great responsibility and opportunity. As the largest state-wide organization of Illinois lawyers and judges, the ISBA has an enormous capacity to champion the core values of our system of justice, and the lawyers who serve it,” John Thies said. “As ISBA President, it is my top priority to make the most of this capacity for the benefit of our membership and the public our members serve.”

During his term as president, Thies will place special emphasis on four major projects that derive from his own experiences in life and the law. A Law School Debt task force will examine the heavy educational debt burden faced by new lawyers as they begin their careers and how that impacts the delivery of legal services. A Committee on Fair and Impartial Courts will coordinate the ISBA’s efforts to identify and publicize threats to fair and impartial courts due to lack of funding.

Illinois State Bar Association President John G. Locallo invites you to the 136th Annual Meeting on the banks of Lake Geneva. The festivities will occur from June 14-June 16 in Fontana, Wis. Find out more at www.isba.org/annual