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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA celebration of life for attorney and Valparaiso Law School professor David Welter, who died unexpectedly Monday, has been scheduled for Friday. Welter, a graduate and longtime faculty member of the northern Indiana law school, was 59.
Welter was found dead Monday morning alongside Bullseye Lake Road in Valparaiso, according to the Times of Northwest Indiana. The cause of death is unknown but officials do not suspect foul play. An autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday.
His obituary described Welter as an “intelligent, witty and loving man” whose “kind heart and gentle spirit will be greatly missed by all.” The celebration of his life will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at The Market, 2405 U.S. 30, Valparaiso.
A 1990 Valparaiso Law School graduate, Welter returned to his alma mater as a faculty member in 1994, directing the school’s criminal law clinic. Along with his duties in the clinic, he also taught trial advocacy and pretrial skills.
His students argued before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals and the Indiana Supreme Court, according to Valparaiso University. Also, they gained experience by participating in numerous bench and jury trials on a wide range of criminal matters.
Valparaiso University confirmed Welter’s death “with great sadness.”
In a statement, the university said, “We would like to express our deepest condolences to Professor Welter’s wife, Alissa Kohlkoff, his three daughters and to his family, friends, colleagues, students, staff and others who mourn the loss of this special person.”
In addition to teaching, Welter had recently taken on a new role as president of the Porter County Election Board. He was appointed after longtime member J.J. Stankiewicz resigned amid controversy.
Welter approached his new position with enthusiasm. He told the Times of Northwest Indiana he liked solving problems and he was happy to be able to serve his community.
“My family moved here in 1972 from the South Side of Chicago,” Welter told the Times. “I fell in love with this county.”
Welter was active and in good standing with the Indiana Bar. He had experience practicing in the areas of criminal defense, insurance defense, personal injury, workers compensation, Social Security disability and divorce, according to the law school’s website.
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