Ralph B. Guy, Jr., a respected figure in the American legal community, former U.S.
Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, and founding member of NAFUSA, passed
away on April 20, 2026, at the age of 96. A 1953 graduate of the University of Michigan
Law School, Guy had a distinguished legal career in his home state of Michigan and
was known for his dedication to public service and commitment to justice. Guy served
as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan from 1970 to 1976, where he
played a pivotal role in prosecuting federal cases and upholding the law. His tenure was
marked by a steadfast pursuit of fairness and integrity in the legal system.

After his time as U.S. Attorney, Guy continued to serve the public with distinction. He
was appointed by President Gerald Ford as a United States District Judge for the
Eastern District of Michigan where he served from 1976 to 1985 and later appointed by
President Ronald Reagan to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
where he served from 1985 to 1994. He later served as a judge of the United States
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review from 1998 to 2006. Throughout his
career, he was recognized for his judicious temperament, keen legal insight, dry sense
of humor and unwavering professionalism. He placed great emphasis on and
participated in the education of law students and the improvement of lawyers’ legal
skills. He found time in his busy schedule to teach trial advocacy courses at the
University of Michigan Law School, the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and the
United States Attorney General’s Advocacy Institute. Colleagues and friends remember
him as a mentor and a trailblazer who set high standards for those who followed in his
footsteps.

Robert (Bob) Mueller, who was renowned for his steadfast dedication to public service
and his pivotal role as the former Director of the FBI, passed away on March 20, 2026,
at the age of 81. He leaves behind a legacy that shaped American law enforcement and
justice. Mueller, a long-time NAFUSA member, had a distinguished public service career
and earned high military honors in Vietnam as a Marine Corps officer, including a
Bronze Star for valor.

Mueller began his long career with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in 1976, later rising
to its top ranks. He served as an Assistant United States Attorney in San Francisco and
later Boston, for twelve years. He returned to government service in 1989 after working
as a partner in a Boston law firm, to serve as an assistant to Attorney General Dick
Thornburg. In 1990, he was appointed Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal
Division, holding this post until 1993, during which time he oversaw the investigation of
the Lockerbie bombing case and the prosecution of Manuel Noriega. He was appointed
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California in 1998 where he served until 2001
when he was nominated by President George W. Bush to be FBI Director. He was
sworn in on September 4, 2001, after unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate, a
week before the September 11 terrorist attacks. Mueller served as Director of the FBI
until 2013, including an additional two years beyond his ten-year term at the request of
President Obama. During this time, he focused on transforming the FBI into an agency
that could ably respond to terrorist threats while preserving the civil liberties of American
citizens. Many considered him to be the most influential Director since Hoover. He had a
reputation for being gruff, but his leadership, discipline and professionalism were
evident in each role, earning him widespread respect for his unwavering commitment to
upholding the rule of law.

Mueller’s influence within the Department of Justice was marked by his quiet strength,
meticulous attention to detail, deep sense of responsibility and dedication to public
service. He is survived by his wife, Ann, daughters Cynthia and Melissa and five
grandchildren.

Timothy Leonard, former U.S. Attorney and federal judge in Oklahoma, and former NAFUSA member, passed away on March 2, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and dedication to justice. He was 86. Leonard was renowned for his commitment to public service, having served both as a U.S. Attorney and later as a judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma (1991-2026). His decades-long career was marked by his unwavering pursuit of fairness, service to his country and his many contributions to the legal community. Throughout his tenure, Leonard was known for his mentorship of young attorneys and his involvement in various civic initiatives.

He attended the University of Oklahoma on a four-year track scholarship and while there the OU tack team won three Big 8 Championships. He joined the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps after graduating OU law school and attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After his military service, he returned to Oklahoma to practice law and in 1979 was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate, where he served as minority leader. He was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to serve as U.S. Attorney in 1989.

Colleagues and friends remember Leonard not only for his professional accomplishments but also for his kindness and humility. His life is the subject of Tim Leonard, Son of the Panhandle, written by Bob Burke and Joe Heaton. He is survived by his wife Nancy to whom he was married for 58 years, his three children- Kirstin, Ryan and Tyler, their spouses and nine grandchildren.