Able retires after distinguished career

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

As local old-timers would put it, Ray Able goes “w-a-a-ay back” in his service to Van Wert County Probate-Juvenile Court.

It was just shy of four decades ago that Able took a job with Van Wert County Probate-Juvenile Court. For the past 39 years, Able has done double duty as the chief probation officer for Juvenile Court, as well as Probate Court administrator.

Judge Kevin Taylor, the third judge Able has served under, with the first two being Cathryn Harrington and Rex Fortney, thanked Able for helping him learn the ropes of the Probate and Juvenile courts, noting that likely no one has as much knowledge of those two courts as Able. He also cited his caring attitude for the youngsters who come through the Juvenile Court system.

“Ray has always been devoted to working with kids,” Judge Taylor added.

The current Probate-Juvenile judge also talked about Able’s far-reaching impact as the Juvenile Court’s chief probation officer.

“Your impact not only affected this county, as far as working with children, but all of the counties of northwest Ohio — and probably beyond,” the judge said, noting that Able has been instrumental in developing a lot of the programming for juveniles in the state. “It’s rare to have a person that has had as much impact as you have.”

Judge Taylor said Able had created most of the processes and procedures by which the two courts work today. Perhaps a fitting tribute to his tenure is the fact that two people have been hired to replace him. Suzi Steele Woodruff will be the new Probate Court administrator, while Jenny Hammons has been appointed the new chief probation officer for Juvenile Court.

Following a short retirement ceremony, Able spoke briefly about his nearly four decades in the Probate-Juvenile court system.

“The biggest thing we’ve really seen over the years is the breakdown of the family situation,” Able said, adding that, while the kids today are similar to those he dealt with back in 1974 as a new probation officer, the parents are much less willing to take responsibility for their children and help them make the changes necessary to be successful.

“Kids still do the same things,” Able said, adding that the difference is how families and parents react to their children’s problems. “Too often, parents want to be their children’s friends, instead of their parents.”

The lack of responsibility isn’t just among parents, Able said, but permeates American society.

“No one wants to be responsible for anything, and it flows down right from the top,” he noted.

Certainly, the way the courts treat juveniles has changed in the last 39 years, Able said. In the 1970s, most juvenile cases were handled “in-house” and judges had a lot of discretion over what could be publicized. Today, many juveniles charged with a serious offense are tried as adults and must deal with the same media attention as adult offenders.

Meanwhile, Able said he plans to enjoy his retirement, and will probably do some targeting shooting or fishing with friends and relax a little more than he has the last four decades.