Tod Douglas Megibow passed away on Tuesday, May 22, 2012. Tod was born in New York City on March 29, 1951. He received his high school diploma from Barnard School for Boys, a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Kentucky Wesleyan College and his law degree from Loyola School of Law in New Orleans.
Tod began his law practice after being admitted to the Kentucky Bar on June 4, 1979. He was also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. On August 13, 1984, he was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
He was a member of the Kentucky Bar Association and a contributing member to the Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, serving as a governor-at-large from 1989 through 1993. He was a charter member of the Kentucky Academy of Criminal Defense Lawyers, serving as administrator of the Graves County Public Defender System from 1981 through 1985.
Tod also served on the board of directors of Western Kentucky Legal Services from 1980 until 1982. He received the Western Kentucky Legal Services award for pro bono service in 2000 and also received the Kentucky Bar Association’s award for donated legal services in 2001.
His entire career was dedicated to upholding the law and most importantly that everyone was entitled to a defense. This is evident by the recognition he received during his career. At the time of his death, he had nine published opinions. These opinions changed the law in Kentucky and in one instance better protected deputy sheriffs throughout Kentucky.
When Tod moved to Paducah he embraced the community and quickly made it his home. He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge #217, from 1980 until his death. He served as an Exalted Ruler and a Trustee. He was a distinguished member of the Elks National Foundation and was awarded Elk of the year in 2002.
He was a member of Temple Israel and served as president from1991-1993, and 1997-2001. He was a member of the Board of Trustees from 1989 until 2011. He also served as Principal and Instructor of the Temple’s Hebrew School, educating temple youths from 1992 to 2000.
He played rugby for the Paducah Flood from 1982 through 1985, when he retired and became a referee. He became a Kentucky Colonel in 1991 and a Duke of Paducah in 2009.
Tod was preceeded in death by his father, Dr. Samuel J. Megibow, M.D., and his mother, Linnea Megibow. He is survived by his daughter Rachel Pitt and husband Brian Pitt, his son Aaron Megibow, a brother Jon Megibow and sister-in-law Anne Megibow, as well as his two nephews Nicholas and Daniel Megibow. He will forever be remembered by his close friends and extended family for his quick wit and generosity.
Graveside services will be held Sunday at 2:30 at Temple Israel.
Friends may call noon – 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Milner and Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.
Expressions of sympathy may be made as a donation to one’s favorite charity.
