By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Growing up in Ellsworth, Bob Suelter wanted to come back close to home as a young man to take care of his parents if needed.
Suelter graduated from Fort Hays State University and then finished one year at Washburn University’s law school but was called to the Army. Once returning from the Army, Suelter finished law school and began working in Great Bend as the Barton County Assistant Attorney in 1974.
Suelter would eventually make his way over as a part-time
city attorney for Great Bend in 1979. He continued to practice private law and work for Great Bend until 1995 when he went fulltime for the city.
"I always found public law rewarding," said Suelter. "I didn't love sticking people in jail but I enjoyed working with the police and other coworkers."
Suelter will officially retire Friday, Nov. 12 after 42 years with the City of
Great Bend. The city held a retirement reception for Suelter inside the
Municipal Courtroom Tuesday afternoon.
While serving as the city’s prosecutor
and attorney, Suelter turned into a great historian for Great Bend.
"You learn to start remembering stuff that you think might be important," said Suelter. "I probably haven't remembered it all but I like the ability I had in this job to do a lot of different things. I enjoyed the practice of law and prosecution, but I also enjoyed a lot of the administrative things."
Suelter added he's looking forward to being at home with his wife and his dog once he retires.
Great Bend is moving forward with contracting out Suelter’s duties to Watkins
Calcara, an in-town law firm. Watkins Calcara’s Allen Glendenning will serve as
the city attorney and Jeffrey Kuhlman will act as the city prosecutor. Each
will be paid $7,000 per month. Any time past what is scheduled each week will
be billed per hour.