Introduction
Tom Rickhoff (July 13, 1944) is an American lawyer and judge who served for three decades as an elected Appellate, District, and Probate judge in Bexar County, Texas.
Early life, education, and family
Tom Rickhoff was born in Bayview, Idaho, on July 13, 1944, at the Farragut Naval Air Station, to John and Lela Rickhoff. At the time, his father was serving in the Phillippines. His parents were married on Valentine's Day, 1942. Tom has six siblings—John Jr., Lynn, Jim, Gerry, Mike, and Mary Ann.
After his naval service, his father worked first as a trial lawyer for 28 years, as well as serving as a state district judge.
Rickhoff received his bachelor's degree from St. Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas, in 1966. He then obtained his JD from St. Mary's University-School of Law in 1969. He then completed his master's at the University of Texas, Austin, Texas, in 1978-1979.
Career
From 1977-1979, Tom ran his private practice—Strother, Johnson, and Rickhoff. He served as a Special Trial attorney for the U. S. Department of Justice Organized Crime Strike Force trying Mafia cases in New Orleans and then served as Chief of Special Crimes in the Western District of Texas prosecuting white-collar crimes.
From January 1979 to September 1980, he was a Bexar County, Texas, District Clerk. He was the first successful Republican County-wide candidate in Bexar History. In 1981, he was appointed to the 289th District Court by Governor William P. Clements.
In the summer of 1998, Tom was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alaska. From 1987 to 2000, he was an Associate Professor of Law at St. Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas.
Personal life
On September 5, 1970, Tom married Carol Mumford. They have five children—Hans, Franz, Fritz, Erika, and Liesel.