Myron H. Bright Papers, 1968-2016

Myron H. Bright Papers

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Collection Overview

Title: Myron H. Bright Papers, 1968-2016

ID: OGLMC877

Primary Creator: Bright, Myron H. (1919-2016)

Extent: 0.0

Date Acquired: 07/18/1983. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Legal

Languages: English

Abstract

1919-2016; Judge on the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals from 1968 to 2016

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Myron H. Bright Papers consist of Bright's chambers papers, which include correspondence and memoranda between Judge Bright and other judges, memoranda from his law clerks, oral argument and conference notes, and draft and final versions of rulings. The legal citation is indicated for most cases.

Judge Bright’s notable rulings included:

-the Reserve Mining cases 514 F.2d 492 (8th Cir. 1975): These cases upheld the right of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate corporate pollution, a practice unheard of before the lawsuit. Materials from these cases are found in Series 7 (Boxes 7 and 8), as well as Series 9 (Box 20) and Series 10 (Box 23).

-Chapman v. Meier 372 F. Supp. 371 (D.N.D. 1974): This case regarded the legality of federal court ordered reapportionment of the North Dakota Legislature. Materials from the case are found in Series 8 (Box 14).

-Walker v. Lockhart 726 F.2d 1238 (8^th Cir. 1984): This case freed a wrongly imprisoned, death row inmate after 23 years of confinement in Arkansas. Materials from the case are found in Series 15 (Box 51).

Collection Historical Note

"Myron H. Bright, 97, died peacefully on December 12, 2016 at the Eventide Fargo Senior Living Facility surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

Myron was born March 5, 1919 to Morris and Lena Bright in Eveleth, MN. He and his four siblings grew up in the hearty Iron Range of northern Minnesota. The Bright family was a staple of the Jewish community in the Iron Range and Myron has maintained a deep connection and close ties to the area throughout his life.

Myron attended Eveleth High School and graduated from Eveleth Junior College before going on to the University of Minnesota for his undergraduate and law degrees. His college days were interrupted by World War II, during which he honorably served his country as a Captain in the Army Air Corps, stationed in India.

He met Frances (Fritzie) Reisler in 1945 and they were married December 1946. After Myron’s graduation from law school, the couple moved to Fargo, ND in 1947 where they would make their home for the next 71 years. They were “partners” in every sense of the word until Fritzie’s death in October 2000. Myron and Fritzie were active members of the Fargo community and were involved in Democratic politics locally and state wide.

Myron joined the law firm of Wattam, Vogel and Vogel which became Wattam, Vogel, Vogel, Bright and Peterson and is now known as Vogel Law Firm. He had a 21 year career as a successful trial attorney, representing a variety of clients throughout North Dakota and Minnesota.

In 1968 Myron was appointed as an Appellate Judge on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals for the United States by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Over the course of his judicial career, he presided over more than 7,000 cases and authored more than 3,000 opinions. He was famous for his ground-breaking rulings in the field of civil rights and employment discrimination. Judge Bright complemented his judicial career with a strong involvement in legal education. His awards and accolades are too numerous to mention here. At his death he was the longest serving jurist on the Eighth Circuit.

Myron and Fritzie purchased what has come to be known as the “Little Brown Cottage” on Lake Melissa in Detroit Lakes, MN in 1968. From that date to the present it has become the perennial summer home for the entire Bright clan. Myron’s summers at the Lake were not to be interfered with and all who visited were welcomed to enjoy the full Bright family hospitality. He enjoyed golfing at the Detroit Lakes CC, tennis and most especially, walleye fishing with family and friends. He was fond of bird watching at the Lake and quite serious about tending to his bird feeders. He and Fritzie were accomplished Bridge and Cribbage players, often hosting their friends for games of cards.

When he wasn’t working or at the Lake, you could find Myron behind the pages of any newspaper, the New Yorker or a good book. His mind never stopped. He had an incredible memory and the astonishing ability to recall the smallest details of events that took place years ago. He was a friend to all he met and a gift of wisdom and advice to all those who knew him.

Myron loved and cherished his family. He referred to them as “the family,” using a formal tone, as if it were an official title. “The family” included not only his immediate one, but also the more than 100 law clerks who served him during his 48 years on the bench. He looked forward with great anticipation to the law clerk reunions, which were held every 5 years during his time as a judge.

He was known by many titles; Judge, Myron, Mike, Dad, Pops and Poppop. One of his most prized titles was “author,” having written and published his autobiography, Goodbye Mike, Hello Judge: My Journey for Justice in 2014. He was an avid sports fan; following the NDSU Bison, UND, the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins. He was a supporter of the arts; including the FM Symphony and FM Opera. He was the oldest member of Temple Beth El.

He is survived by his family who loved him dearly; daughter, Dinah (Christian) Golding of Fargo, ND; son, Joshua Bright of Excelsior, MN; grandchildren; Amy (Jim) Long of Fargo, ND, Sarianne (Brock) Dickson of Harwood, ND and Adam (Kimberly) Schultz of Shorewood, MN; great-grandchildren; William Bright, Connor James and Henry Elliot Long, Collins Frances and Maxum Brock Dickson; Mason Myron and Addison Marie Schultz; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Bright; parents, Morris and Lena Bright; brothers, Leo Bright, Roy Bright and Joe Bright; and sister, Mabel Bright Manfield."

Source: http://boulgerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/judge-myron-bright/

Subject/Index Terms

Legal

Administrative Information

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Accruals:

Judge Bright made numerous additions:

May 1984 (84-1298); November 1985 (85-1424); May 1986 (85-1445); February 1988 (88-1581); August 1989 (89-1678); May 1990 (90-1698); September 1990; April 1991 (91-1745); October 1991 (91-1791); November 1992 (92-1851); October 1993 (93-1918); April 1995 (95-2012); November 1997 (97-2154); June 1999 (99-2359); August 1999 (99-2371); March 2000 (2000-2426); October 2001 (2001-2531); October 2002 (2002-2579); February 2003 (2003-2609); June 2005 (2005-2756); September 2006 (2006-2865); January 2009 (2009-2960); August 2009 (2009-2969); January 2012 (2012-3148); July 2014 (2014-3256); May 2016 (2016-3309); March 2017 (2017-3335).

The collection was closed until the death of Judge Myron Bright on December 12, 2016.

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Source: Myron Bright, Fargo, North Dakota

Acquisition Method: Donation; 83-1167

Related Publications: Goodbye Mike, Hello Judge: My Journey for Justice. by Myron H. Bright. Fargo: Institute for Regional Studies Press, 2014.

Preferred Citation: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections. Chester Fritz Library. University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Processing Information: Processing of the collection began in 2022.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Biographical Material],
[Series 2: 1968],
[Series 3: 1969],
[Series 4: 1970],
[Series 5: 1971],
[Series 6: 1972],
[Series 7: 1973],
[Series 8: 1974],
[Series 9: 1975],
[Series 10: 1976],
[Series 11: 1977],
[Series 12: 1978],
[Series 13: 1979],
[Series 14: 1980],
[Series 15: 1981],
[Series 16: 1982],
[Series 17: 1983],
[Series 18: 1984],
[Series 19: 1985],
[Series 20: 1986],
[Series 21: 1987],
[Series 22: 1988],
[Series 23: 1989],
[Series 24: 1990],
[Series 25: 1991],
[Series 26: 1992],
[Series 27: 1993],
[Series 28: 1994],
[Series 29: 1995],
[Series 30: 1996],
[Series 31: 1997],
[Series 32: 1998],
[Series 33: 1999],
[Series 34: 2000],
[All]

Series 22: 1988

Box 81

Folder 28: 88-1027: Doyle J. Williams v. Bill Armontrout, Warden: 877 F.2d 1376 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 29: 88-1072 and 88-5052: Applied Innovations, Inc. v. Regents of the University of Minnesota and National Computer Systems, Inc.: 876 F.2d 626 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 30: 88-1080: Robert Taylor and Stacy Taylor v. Sears Roebuck and Company and Archie West
Folder 31: 88-1160: Donnie Lair v. Dr. Oglesby, Psychiatrist, Maximum Security Unit: 859 F.2d 605 (8th Cir. 1988)
Folder 32: 88-1246 Harold Leopard v. Director, OWCP, U.S. Department of Labor
Folder 33: 88-1266 Robertson Oil Company, Inc. v. Phillips Petroleum Company: <span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif, "Mongolian Baiti", "Microsoft Yi Baiti", "Javanese Text", "Yu Gothic"; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">871 F.2d 1368 (8th Cir. 1989)</span>
Folder 34: 88-1268 United States of America v. Joseph Lombardo: 859 F.2d 1328 (8th Cir. 1988)
Folder 35: 88-1319 Terry Wane Sanders v. Clemco Industries and Ingersoll-Rand Company: 862 F.2d 161 (8th Cir. 1988)

Box 82

Folder 1: 88-1320: Coy Rush v. Director, Office of Workers Compensation Programs: 859 F.2d 609 (8th Cir. 1988)
Folder 2: 88-1327: Delores Long v. Otis Bowen, M.D., Secretary of Health and Human Services
Folder 3: 88-1342: Doyle Williams v. Bill Armontrout (1 of 2): 891 F.2d 656 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 4: 88-1342: Doyle Williams v. Bill Armontrout (2 of 2): 891 F.2d 656 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 5: 88-1369: David Mostajo v. Howard Brent, M.D., et al
Folder 6: 88-1381 and 88-1454: James Sims v. United States Department of Agriculture: <span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif, "Mongolian Baiti", "Microsoft Yi Baiti", "Javanese Text", "Yu Gothic"; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">860 F.2d 858 (8th Cir. 1988)</span>
Folder 7: 88-1408: USA v. Arthur Lajuane Taylor: 864 F.2d 625 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 8: 88-1419: Elema-Schonader, Inc. v. K.C.F. Medical Supply Co., Inc.: 869 F.2d 1124 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 9: 88-1473: Harry Tongay, et al v. The Kroger Company, et al: 860 F.2d 298 (8th Cir. 1988)
Folder 10: 88-1507: USA v. Robert Spurgeon
Folder 11: 88-1569: James Ross v. J.M. Jones, et al: 888 F.2d 548 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 12: 88-1601: Richard Stanley, et al v. Brick, et al
Folder 13: 88-1607: Vincent Williams-el v. Darrell Johnson, et al: 872 F.2d 224 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 14: 88-1673: James Fowler v. Louis Sullivan, M.D., U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services: 866 F.2d 249 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 15: 88-1726: Denver O'Dell v. Bill Armontrout: 878 F.2d 1076 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 16: 88-1774: Leo Louis Johnson and Belva Johnson v. Anheuser Busch, Inc, et al: 876 F.2d 620 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 17: 88-1775: The Home Insurance Company v. The General Tire and Rubber Company
Folder 18: 88-1794: Thomas Valz v. General Motors Corporation
Folder 19: 88-1901: John Morgan v. The Arkansas Gazette: 897 F.2d 945 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 20: 88-1953: Sam Whitfield, et al v. The Democratic Party of Arkansas, et al: 890 F.2d 1423 (8th Cir. 1989) Folder 1 of 3
Folder 21: 88-1953: Sam Whitfield, et al v. The Democratic Party of Arkansas, et al: 890 F.2d 1423 (8th Cir. 1989) Folder 2 of 3
Folder 22: 88-1953: Sam Whitfield, et al v. The Democratic Party of Arkansas, et al: 890 F.2d 1423 (8th Cir. 1989) Folder 3 of 3
Folder 23: 88-1979: Donald Flanagan v. Germania, F.A.: 872 F.2d 231 (8th Cir. 1989)

Box 83

Folder 1: 88-1998: USA v. Robert Lakin: 875 F.2d 168 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 2: 88-2036: Charles Woods Television Corp. v. Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. (1 of 2): 869 F.2d 1155 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 3: 88-2036: Charles Woods Television Corp. v. Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. (2 of 2): 869 F.2d 1155 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 4: 88-2048: Ruby Robinson v. Otis Bowen, Secretary of Health & Human Services
Folder 5: 88-2050: Rick Johnson v. Otis Bowen, Secretary of Health & Human Services: 866 F.2d 274 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 6: 88-2074: American Home Assurance Co. v. L&L Marine Service, Inc.: 875 F.2d 1351 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 7: 88-2084: Billy J. Chambers v. A.L. Lockhart, Director, Arkasas Department of Correction: 872 F.2d 274 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 8: 88-2117: USA v. George Willian Ramsey: 871 F.2d 1365 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 9: 88-2153: Terril Huelsman, et al v. Civic Center Corporation, et al: 873 F.2d 1171 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 10: 88-2156: Modern Leasing, Inc. of Iowa v. Falcon Manufacuring of California, Inc.
Folder 11: 88-2178: Edward Becker, et al v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue: 868 F.2d 298 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 12: 88-2207: Mabel Louise Boston v. Security Federal Savings and Loan Association: 877 F.2d 696 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 13: 88-2225: USA v. James Johnson: 873 F.2d 1137 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 14: 88-2230: James Armstrong v. Thomas Turnage, Administrator, Veterans Administration
Folder 15: 88-2267: Maislin Industries Inc. v. Primary Steel Inc. (1 of 2): 879 F.2d 400 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 16: 88-2267: Maislin Industries Inc. v. Primary Steel Inc. (2 of 2): 879 F.2d 400 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 17: 88-2318: Rosetta Greene v. USA: 872 F.2d 236 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 18: 88-2339: Vito Biondo, et al v. Norfolk & Western Railway Company, et al
Folder 19: 88-2432: Propert Growth Company v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue
Folder 20: 88-2469: Dorman Young, et al v. Mt. Hawley Insurance Company, et al: 879 F.2d 1581 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 21: 88-2491: Shannon Govar, et al v. Chicago Insurance Company
Folder 22: 88-2500: Harry Weltman v. Ozzie Silna, et al: 879 F.2d 425 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 23: 88-2581: Mary Lee Orsini v. Virginia Wallace (1 of 2): 913 F.2d 474 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 24: 88-2581: Mary Lee Orsini v. Virginia Wallace (2 of 2): 913 F.2d 474 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 25: 88-2591: Clifford Gullett v. William Armontrout: 894 F.2d 308 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 26: 88-2612: June Piper v. USA: 887 F.2d 861 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 27: 88-2623: Donald Hughes v. Richard Lyng, Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture

Box 84

Folder 1: 88-2625: James Young v. A.L. Lockhart: 892 F.2d 1348 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 2: 88-2641: Van Johnson v. Dr. Richard Bowers, et al: 884 F.2d 1053 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 3: 88-2658: Jacquelene Woolsey v. Nationwide Insurance Company: 884 F.2d 381 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 4: 88-2269: Larry Lile, et al v. The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, et al: 886 F.2d 157 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 5: 88-2670: Louis Thomas v. Sharon Swanson: 881 F.2d 523 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 6: 88-2684: A.L. Barnes v. C. Wallace McPherson, et al
Folder 7: 88-2695: Carolyn Hill v. Clark Rasmussen, et al
Folder 8: 88-2706: Cargill Inc., et al v. Commercial Union Insurance Co. et al: 889 F.2d 174 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 9: 88-2721: Otoe County National Bank v. Rick Easton, et al: 882 F.2d 312 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 10: 88-2724: Allen Dunlap v. A.L. Lockhart, et al
Folder 11: 88-2733: Richard Clinton v. Southwest Bell Yellow Pages, Inc.
Folder 12: 88-2734: Allan Molasky, et al v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue: 897 F.2d 334 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 13: 88-2742: Dorothy Bassinger v. Louis Sullivan, Secretary of Health and Human Services
Folder 14: 88-2753: USA v. Joe Trotter and USA v. $120,612.00 in U.S. Currency (1 of 2): 889 F.2d 153 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 15: 88-2753: USA v. Joe Trotter and USA v. $120,612.00 in U.S. Currency (2 of 2): 889 F.2d 153 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 16: 88-2755: Charles Rentschler v. USA
Folder 17: 88-2760: Marilyn Buck v. Otis Brown, Secretary of Health and Human Services: 885 F.2d 451 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 18: 88-2761: Euna Fay Blake v. J.C. Penny Co., Inc. (1 of 2): 894 F.2d 274 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 19: 88-2761: Euna Fay Blake v. J.C. Penny Co., Inc. (2 of 2): 894 F.2d 274 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 20: 88-2778: E-Z Mart Stores, Inc. v. Terry Kirksey, et al: 885 F.2d 476 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 21: 88-2790: The Board of Education of the City of Saint Louis v. The State of Missouri, et al
Folder 22: 88-2801: Sharon Bliss v. A.L. Lockhart, Superintendent of the Arkansas Department of Corrections: 891 F.2d 1335 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 23: 88-2818: USA v. Standard State Bank: 905 F.2d 185 (8th Cir. 1990)

Box 85

Folder 1: 88-2831: Tommy Mason v. A.L. Lockhart, Director, AR Department of Corrections: 881 F.2d 573 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 2: 88-2843 and 88-2844: Helena Marine Service Inc. et al v. St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, et al: 884 F.2d 391 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 3: 88-2863: USA v. James Ellis Creed: 897 F.2d 963 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 4: 88-2868: Leydel Willis v. Watson Chapel School District, et al: 899 F.2d 745 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 5: 88-5077: USA v. Barbara Lynn Burton: 866 F.2d 1057 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 6: 88-5133: Manfred Estes v. USA: 883 F.2d 645 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 7: 88-5148: Mini mart, Inc., et al v. Direct Sales Tire Company: 889 F.2d 182 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 8: 88-5259: Sherwin Mitzel v. Employers Insurance Company of Wausau: 878 F.2d 233 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 9: 88-5262: USA v. Derrick Patterson: 885 F.2d 483 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 10: 88-5284: Xemas Inc. v. USA
Folder 11: 88-5293: Lyman Lumber Company v. E. John Hill, et al: 877 F.2d 692 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 12: 88-5303: James Trickey, et al V. Amerada Hess Corporation: 878 F.2d 231 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 13: 88-5310: William Brock v. Best Western Sundown Motel, Inc. et al: 883 F.2d 51 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 14: 88-5312: Brunswick Corporation v. Carl McKay, et al
Folder 15: 88-5324: INF, Ltd. v. Spectro Alloys Corp.: 881 F.2d 546 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 16: 88-5344: First American Bank and Trust of Minot v. Butler Machinery Co.: 876 F.2d 681 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 17: 88-5372: John McKellip, et al v. Northwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, etc
Folder 18: 88-5385: Dennis Hurst, et al v. USA , et al: 882 F.2d 306 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 19: 88-5388 and 88-5441: Hong Kong TV Video Program v. Vietnam and Hong Kong International Food and Gift Corporation
Folder 20: 88-5393: USA v. Mark Kaylor: 877 F.2d 658 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 21: 88-5396: USA v. Loren Mundt
Folder 22: 88-5397: James Whitmore, et al v. New York Life Insurance Company
Folder 23: 88-5521: USA v. Loren Barta: 888 F.2d 1220 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 24: 88-5524: USA v. John Roley: 893 F.2d 992 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 25: 88-1363: Oro Devlopment Corporation v. USA Department of Labor (10th Circuit)
Folder 26: 88-1420: USA v. Larry Gallegos (10th Circuit)
Folder 27: 88-1678: Zurn Constructors, Inc v. The B.F. Goodrich Company (10th Circuit)
Folder 28: 88-1940: USA v. Ronnie DeMasters (10th Circuit)
Folder 29: 88-2017: USA v. Moses Jack (10th Circuit)
Folder 30: 88-4040: USA v. Steven Allison, et al (11th Circuit)
Folder 31: 88-5617: Margherita Renzi, et al v. Florida Highway Patrol, et al (11th Circuit)
Folder 32: 88-6211: Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation v. John Keller, et al (11th Circuit)
Folder 33: 88-6241: Carefree David Travel Company, Inc., et al v. Industrial Waste Service, Ince., et al (11th Circuit)

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