Robert Francis Meachum will be remembered during a service at the Northern Light United Church at 3 o’clock Tuesday afternoon, January 8th.
Meachum was a public defender who recently worked out of the Dillingham and Juneau offices. For over 25 years, he defended those accused of crimes or advocated for those who could not afford their own attorney. Many of his clients included those involved in juvenile delinquency and child-in-need-of-aid (CINA) cases, and involuntary mental health commitments.
Author John Straley, who has worked as an investigator for the Public Defender’s office in Sitka, is expected to read a poem.
Family, friends, attorneys, and judges from throughout the Lower-48 and Alaska are expected to attend. Juneau judges, who worked with Meachum earlier in their careers, will be clearing their calendar at the Dimond Courthouse to attend the service on Tuesday afternoon.
Meachum suffered from a combination heart attack and stroke in Dillingham just before Christmas. He was transported to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage for treatment. He passed away on New Year’s Day at the age of 57.
Meachum is survived by his wife Freda Westman of Juneau and their four children Cecilia, Gabe, Dabney, and Hunter.
Matt Miller is a reporter at KTOO in Juneau.
