Robert L. Echols

Robert Lynn Echols (January 13, 1941 – August 2, 2025) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Early life, education and military service Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Echols received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwestern College (now Rhodes College) in Memphis in 1962 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1964. He was in the United States Army in 1966. He served for 35 years in both the United States Army Reserves and the Army National Guard, retiring as a brigadier general in 2001. His last assignment in the military was commander of the 30th Troop Command of the Tennessee Army National Guard.

On October 22, 1991, Echols was nominated by President George H. W. Bush to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee created by 104 Stat. 5089. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 13, 1992, and received his commission on March 18, 1992. He served as Chief Judge from 1998 to 2005, assuming senior status on March 1, 2007, and retiring fully from the bench on July 31, 2010.