For nearly half a century—since 1980—the law firm of Harris & Welsh, subsequently Harris Welsh & Lukmann, has been representing the Town of Chesterton and protecting its interests.
Mike Harris founded the firm in 1965, Bob Welsh joined it as an associate in 1968 and was made partner in 1972, followed by Chuck Lukmann in December 1979, one month before HWL took the Town of Chesterton as a client.
Lukmann himself made partner in 1985 and would be joined years later in the partnership by Chuck Parkinson, Julie Paulson, and Connor Nolan, all of whom have diligently and wisely counseled the Town of Chesterton, through good times and bad, through flush times and lean.
Now, one of the partners, the extraordinary and esteemed Bob Welsh, has passed at the age of 81, and Nolan took a moment at the Town Council’s meeting Monday night, Jan. 27, to remember one of his mentors.
“Our dear friend and former longterm partner, Bob Welsh, has passed away, just after retiring last year,” Nolan told the Town Council. “I want to thank (Members Jim Ton, R-1st, and Sharon Darnell, D-4th) for reaching out and all department heads and other board members as well for their condolences.”
“Bob was a great attorney,” Nolan concluded his brief statement. “He was an even greater person and we’re going to miss him dearly.”
Those who knew Welsh recognized in him a brilliant and formidable legal mind, which he happily—and with great success—put in the service of Davids imposed upon by Goliaths. His deft command of the language was capable of electrifying even a legal brief. But as daunting as Welsh was in the courtroom, he was a quiet, gentle, and compassionate family man devoted to the community.
Rest in peace, Bob.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at Chesterton United Methodist Church, 434 S. Second St., Chesterton. The family will receive friends at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Memorial donations may be made to the Annual Support Campaign at the Duneland Family YMCA, 215 Roosevelt St., Chesterton, IN 46304; or to the Chesterton United Methodist Church, 434 S. Second St., Chesterton IN 46304.