Quist, Darvid

June 20, 1936 - September 27, 2021

Retired District Judge

Services: Saturday, October 2, 10am at Frist Lutheran Church, Blair, NE. Military graveside services follow in the Blair Cemetery. Visitation: Friday, Oct. 1, from 5 to 7pm at Campbell Aman Funeral Home, Blair.

Campbell Aman Funeral Home 444 S. 17th Street, Blair, NE 68008

#2-Published at the Enterprise October 1, 2021

Darvid Quist, age 85 of Blair, NE, passed away September 27, 2021. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 2 at 10:00 AM at First Lutheran Church in Blair. Military graveside services will follow in the Blair Cemetery. Open visitation will be held Friday, October 1 from 5 to 7 PM at Campbell Aman Funeral Home.

The youngest of four children, Darvid was born on June 20, 1936, on the family farm in rural Blair, Nebraska, the son of Alfred and Clara Quist.

He was a graduate of Blair High School and then attended Dana College, graduating in 1958 and then attended the University of Nebraska College of Law graduating in 1961. After law school, Darvid enlisted in the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge, he began practicing law with Haessler and Sullivan law firm in Wahoo in 1965.

Darvid became a full time Congressional Staff member in both Lincoln and Washington DC. He was then appointed as a US Secretary of Agriculture Special Assistant. He continued in that position until leaving Washington DC in 1973.

In January 1974, Darvid opened a solo practice in Blair, NE and was elected Washington County Attorney that same year. He was appointed District Judge of the Sixth Judicial District in December of 1980 and served in that capacity until June of 2010. He served on various committees for the District Judges Association. The Nebraska Supreme Court also named him to the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee, which he chaired for eight years. Darvid was one of two nominees for Chief Justice in 1987, and was honored to be invited to hear cases with the Supreme Court on several occasions.

On April 21, 1981, he was united in marriage to JoAnn Jacobson and to this union he accepted the role of father to Joel. Darvid enjoyed going to Joel’s sporting events, especially baseball and basketball, and prided himself on never missing a game. Later in life, he enjoyed attending Emma and Tanner’s activities.

Darvid is survived by his wife JoAnn, son Joel, grandchildren: Emma and Tanner, along with several nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and three siblings.

Memorial may be directed to First Lutheran Church, Blair Fire and Rescue or the Jeanette Hunt Animal Shelter in Blair.

#3-Published in the Enterprise October 8, 2021

Longtime district court judge remembered for fairness

By Leeanna Ellis - editor@enterprisepub.com

Darvid Quist, who served Washington County for four decades as county attorney and district court judge, will be remembered for his fairness and professionalism.

Quist died Sept. 27. He was 85.

“Judge Quist had a tremendous impact on justice in Washington County for almost 30 years,” said Judge John Samson, who replaced Quist on the bench upon his retirement in 2010.

Quist, who grew up in rural Blair, graduated from Blair High School and Dana College. He then attended the University of Nebraska College of Law, graduating in 1961.

After law school, Quist enlisted in the U.S. Army. Following his honorable discharge, he began practicing law with Haessler and Sullivan law firm in Wahoo in 1965, according to his obituary.

Quist became a full-time Congressional staff member in both Lincoln and Washington, D.C. He was then appointed as a U.S. Secretary of Agriculture special assistant — a role he stayed in until 1973.

In January 1974, Quist opened his own practice in Blair and was elected Washington County Attorney.

He was appointed district judge of the Sixth Judicial District in December 1980. He remained on the bench until June 2010.

During his career, Quist was one of two nominees for chief justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court and he sat on the high court as a district court judge several times.

At the time of his retirement, Quist was the longest-serving judge in the state.

Judge Geoffrey Hall, who serves in Dodge County, began his career as a defense attorney. He arrived in Blair in 1999 and tried several cases with Quist.

“He had a commanding presence in the courtroom,” Hall said. “Judge Quist could look at you from the bench, wouldn't have to say a word, just give you a look and you knew maybe that was time to stop your argument.”

Samson, who served as Washington County Attorney from 1988 to 1997, also tried cases with Quist.

“I always found that he was fair in his role as a judge for both the defense and the state,” Samson said.

Hall agreed.

“I always thought he was a fair judge, he was efficient, and he was well respected by his colleagues and the members of the bar,” he said.

Hall said Quist was “old school” on how he operated his courtroom.

“He expected the members of the bar, the practicing attorneys, to show respect for the court,” he said. “You stood when you were supposed to, you dressed properly — a coat and tie.”

Out of town attorneys, who might not know the local rules about the tie, quickly learned. Quist kept ties — some that looked like they were from the 1960s — in the research library adjacent to his office for those who forgot.

“I saw one time he made an attorney go in that little library. It was the most gosh awful tie that they had to wear,” Hall said.

“The ties were hideous,” Samson added. “In fact, I still have one or two of them in my closet over here.”

Both men said Quist had an influence on their careers as judges.

“Certainly, trying cases with him and the other judges I've tried cases in front of, they certainly influence how I deal with litigants as a judge,” Samson said. “You have a lot of experience with all those judges.”

“You pick up things over the years from various judges, you try to make it your own, but you incorporate styles perhaps, ways of doing business,” Hall added. “I do believe I picked up things from Judge Quist over the years that I still use today. Those are positive influences.”

Hall said he also respected Quist for coming back to serve his hometown and county.

“Judge Quist was a Blair guy. He was a Washington County guy. He grew up the there, he went to Dana College and then in his career graduated from the university, went to D.C., and then came back to Blair,” Hall said. “He really loved Blair and Washington County.”

#3 Funeral Leaflet

(photo)

In Loving Memory of Darvid Dean Quist

Born June 20, 1936 Blair, Nebraska ~ Entered Into Rest September 27, 2021 Fremont, Nebraska

Funeral Service 10 am Saturday, October 2, 2021 First Lutheran Church, Blair, Nebraska. Officiating: Rod Hansen P.M.A. Musical Selections: "Sunrise", "Just A Closer Walk With Thee", "Amazing Grace", "Everything I Own", "How Great Thou Art"

Pallbearers: Mark Quist, Erik Quist, Jeff Quist, Kevin Rolland, Jim Mintken, Bob Leehy

Honorary Pallbearers: Jim Foley, Jim Van Cleave, Richard Reiser, Gary Wachter, Saylor Clements, Dan Smith

Final Resting Place: Blair Cemetery, Blair, Nebraska

~~~Obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

FindaGrave # 232528630