Robert Edward Varner

Robert Edward Varner (June 11, 1921 – May 17, 2006) was a United States federal judge.

Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Varner received a B.S. from Auburn University in 1942 and was a U.S. Naval Aviator Lieutenant (JG) during World War II, from 1942 to 1946. He received a J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1949. He was in private practice in Tuskegee, Alabama from 1949 to 1954. He was a member of the Macon County Board of Education from 1950 to 1954. He was a Chairman in 1954. He was a City attorney of Tuskegee, Alabama in 1951. He was an assistant U.S. Attorney of the Middle District of Alabama from 1954 to 1958. He was in private practice in Montgomery, Alabama from 1958 to 1971.

Varner was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Varner was nominated by President Richard Nixon on February 10, 1971, to a new seat created by 84 Stat. 294. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 21, 1971, and received his commission on April 23, 1971. He served as chief judge from 1979-1984. He assumed senior status on June 12, 1986. Varner served in that capacity until May 17, 2006, due to his death.

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