Robert E. Sutemeier

Robert was born on August 30, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Frank E. Sutemeier and Lenor Lott Sutemeier. He graduated from Saint Louis University in 1969, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History, along with an ROTC commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. While at Saint Louis University, he was elected to Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society and the Arnold Air Society, served as Cadet Group Commander, and honored as a Distinguished Military Graduate. Robert earned his Juris Doctor degree from Saint Louis University School of Law in 1972. In 1984, he received his Master of Law degree in Labor Law (LLM) from the National Law Center, George Washington University in Washington D.C.

Robert served in the United States Air Force for over 22 years; reporting for his first duty assignment in 1973, as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate. Robert retired in 1995, as a full Colonel and Commandant of the Air Force Judge Advocate General School at Maxwell Air Force Base. His legal practice in the Air Force was diverse, including personnel and equal employment opportunity litigation, and Federal sector labor law. The culmination of his Air Force career allowed him to focus on a true passion, legal education, as Commandant of the Air Force Judge Advocate General School. Even after retiring from the Air Force, he continued to serve as a member of the Retired Air Force Judge Advocates Association and as a trustee/board member with the JAG School Foundation.

Robert began his second public service career in 1995 with the Department of Defense, working with the Navy Office of the General Counsel. In 1999, he transferred from the Navy to a position with the Office of the General Counsel in the Department of Defense Education Activity. He retired from civilian work in April 2019. Robert and his family relocated to St. Johns, Florida and settled in Cimarrone community. There, Robert served on the Cimarrone Property Owners’ Association Board as Vice President from 2020 until 2024.

Robert was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the US Court of Military Appeals, the US Claims Court, the DC, Fifth, Ninth, Eleventh, and Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Missouri. He was a member of the American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Judge Advocates Association, and American Trial Lawyers’ Association.

His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, a dedication in the Dickinson Law Center/ Air Force JAG School, and the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award.

Robert is survived by his wife of fifty-one years, Anne Manchester Sutemeier; his daughter, Amy E. Sutemeier; and the beloved members of his extended family.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 11:00 am, at San Juan Del Rio Catholic Church. A funeral reception will be held following the mass from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Cimarrone Golf and Country Club.

Locations:

Funeral Mass

San Juan Del Rio Catholic Church

1718 State Road 13

North St. Johns, FL 32259

Funeral Reception

Cimarrone Golf and Country Club

2800 Cimarrone Blvd

St. Johns, FL 32259