Longtime Iowa Federal Judge Dies at 78 After 26-Year Career

Robert Pratt, Longtime Federal Judge in Iowa, Dies at 78

Robert Pratt, a federal judge in Iowa who served more than two decades on the bench, died Wednesday after suffering cardiac arrest while exercising at a gym. He was 78.

His son, Michael Pratt, confirmed to The New York Times that his father died of a heart attack during a workout session.

Appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa by President Bill Clinton in 1997, Pratt served for over 26 years before retiring in 2023. During his extensive judicial career, he presided over numerous significant cases, including a sentencing decision that was later upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in the landmark Gall v. United States case.

An obituary described Pratt as someone who “championed the underdog and the uncelebrated” throughout his public service career. This commitment to the American dream was perhaps most visible in his creation of an annual Fourth of July naturalization ceremony held alongside Iowa Cubs baseball games starting in 2009. The ceremonies became a cherished tradition in Des Moines, with Pratt presiding over dozens of events that welcomed new U.S. citizens in a celebratory public setting.

“Judge Pratt’s naturalization ceremonies reflected his deep belief in American institutions and the importance of civic engagement,” said Rita Bettis, a Des Moines attorney who attended several of these events. “He transformed what could have been a routine bureaucratic process into a meaningful community celebration.”

During his tenure, Pratt developed a reputation as a thoughtful jurist who wasn’t afraid to stake out independent positions. His judicial philosophy emphasized practical consideration of how legal decisions affected everyday Americans.

Pratt’s career was not without controversy. In 2020, he drew scrutiny after publicly criticizing then-President Donald Trump over a series of pardons granted to two former top aides to Ron Paul’s 2012 presidential campaign, John Tate and Jesse Benton.

In a telephone interview with The Associated Press, Pratt remarked, “It’s not surprising that a criminal like Trump pardons other criminals. But apparently to get a pardon, one has to be either a Republican, a convicted child murderer or a turkey.”

These comments led to a judicial misconduct complaint filed by Lavenski Smith, who was serving as chief judge of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals at the time. The complaint centered on whether Pratt’s statements violated the judicial code of conduct, which requires judges to remain politically neutral in their public statements.

Pratt later acknowledged his remarks were inappropriate. In an April 16, 2021, letter to Smith, he apologized and stated that he accepted the conclusion that his comments could be construed as “inappropriate partisan statements.”

“I acknowledge the wrongfulness of the comments, and I regret the embarrassment they have caused to my court and the judiciary in general. I am truly sorry for the remarks and apologize for having made them,” Pratt wrote. “I also want to reaffirm my commitment to the impartial administration of justice in full compliance with the Code of Conduct for United States Judges.”

The incident highlighted the delicate balance federal judges must maintain between their personal views and their professional responsibilities to remain above the political fray.

Beyond his judicial work, colleagues remembered Pratt as a mentor to younger attorneys and a steadfast advocate for equal justice under the law. His courtroom was known for its accessibility and his willingness to explain complex legal concepts in straightforward terms.

“Judge Pratt believed that the legal system should be understandable to everyone it affects,” said Jennifer Conner, a former clerk in the Southern District of Iowa. “He worked tirelessly to ensure that happened in his courtroom.”

Pratt is survived by his wife, Rose Mary, three children, a stepdaughter, and seven grandchildren. The legal community across Iowa has expressed deep condolences, with many noting that his influence extended far beyond the courtroom through his commitment to public service and dedication to constitutional principles.