RIP: Robert Matthews

Former Kentucky Attorney General Robert Matthews has died at the age of 87. May he rest in peace.

According to a news release from the law firm Greenebaum, Doll & McDonald PLLC, where he once practiced, Matthews “set the standard for what all lawyers should strive to be. He was knowledgeable of the law and a skillful advocate, while always being professional, civil and respectful of all.”

Robert F. Matthews Jr. began his career in state government in 1948, when he served as a special assistant attorney general for the Department of Revenue for two years.
He was named an assistant attorney general in 1955 and elevated to first assistant attorney general four years later.

He also was named assistant chief administrative assistant for former Gov. Bert T. Combs, and commissioner of finance before being elected attorney general in 1964.
In 1967, Matthews ran for lieutenant governor but was narrowly defeated by Wendell Ford in the Democratic primary.