Carl A. Heldt III entered into this world on March 14, 1944 as all of us do without title, without education, and certainly without the respect of the robe of a judgeship commands.
Seeing education as a way not only to prosper but to contribute to the greater good young Heldt attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Grade School and went on to graduate from Evansville’s Central High School in 1962 where he was class president, lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. This son of Southwest Indiana then headed to the northern part of the state to attend Valparaiso University and earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1966. He followed up on that learning experience by graduating from the Indiana University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate in 1969.
With the new and lucrative prospects of a legal career at his disposal Carl chose instead to serve the United States of America in both the US Army and the Indiana Army National Guard where he earned the rank of 1st Lt., Infantry.
As an attorney Heldt served as a partner of the law firm of Lacey, Terrell, Annakin, Heldt and Baugh from 1970 through 1998 when he was appointed to the honorable position of Vanderburgh Circuit Court Judge by Indiana Governor Frank O’Bannon. Judge Heldt still serves the people of Vanderburgh County as their Circuit Court Judge successfully re-elected in both 2000 and 2006.
The desire to serve the public was strong in Judge Heldt’s character as was demonstrated by his service as Assistant City Attorney, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, and as Assistant County Attorney while maintaining his partnership in private practice.
Judge Heldt’s career has afforded him the privilege of serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Judicial Conference of Indiana, member of the House of Delegates of the Indiana State Bar Association where he has been honored with both a Civility Award and the Outstanding Judge Award in 2010. He has served as the President of the Evansville Bar Association where he has been honored with the Doran Perdue Service Award and the James Bethel Gresham Freedom Award. The Evansville Bar Foundation called on Judge Heldt to serve as its President and the Indiana Bar Foundation named him a Fellow.
The private life of many highly accomplished people sometimes pays the price of ambition, but in the case of Judge Heldt, he has balanced his responsibilities to make room for his wisdom and energy as a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, to serve on the Board of Directors of the Media Ministries, and as a President of the Evansville Downtown Quarterback Club
Judge Heldt’s passion for the game of golf lead him to become a Director of the Rolling Hills Country Club, to serve as an Official of the USGA, NCAA, and City Tournament Golf Rules and maintain an active membership in the United States Golf Association.
Judge Heldt enjoys life with his wife Jeanene Heldt and their four children Carl IV, Carrie, Thomas, and Joshua. The crowning reward for Judge Heldt’s life of humble accomplishment is the joy of being a meaningful part in the life of ten grandchildren.
For a life of service to the Evansville community, the State of Indiana, and the United States of America the City County Observer is pleased to name Judge Carl A. Heldt as the recipient of one of five 2012 “Mole” Awards.