Monday Profile- Robert Carbeck

Washtenaw County Deputy Court Administrator Bob Carbeck was born and raised in Ann Arbor. The University of Michigan graduate moved back to Ann Arbor after earning his JD from California Western School of Law in San Diego. As an associate at Seeligson and Jordan, he learned how to practice law, and then hung out his own shingle for 13 years. In 2001,Carbeck became a juvenile referee hearing child abuse and neglect cases for the Washtenaw County Trial Court. He then became probate register and supervised Central Assignment and the jury department before becoming deputy court administrator. Carbeck and his wife of 21 years, Jordana, have two sons. Adam is a freshman at Michigan State and Nathan attends Forsythe Middle School. By Jo Mathis Legal News What is the trait you hate most in others? It's a tie between lack of empathy and no sense of humor. Are you happy now that you weren't accepted at Ringling Brothers Clown College back in 1982? Yes, I'm glad I got into law school instead of Clown College. Not as many laughs in the law. But far fewer pies in the face. What was your most embarrassing moment? The time I was 18 and I left my car idling at the top of the driveway at my parents' house. I got out of the car to check the mail, and then watched the car roll down the hill, run over some bushes, and crash through a fence. What was your most memorable meal? My wife, sister and I enjoyed a baguette, some cheese, wine and chocolate on the patio of our hotel room in Paris. If you could take back one thing you did ... I would not have waited so long to marry my wife. What is your most treasured material possession? An original 1925 Michigan--Ohio State football program cover from my grandmother. Michigan won the game, 10 to 0. What would surprise people about your job? The great variety there is to it. Everything from the budget, to working on contracts, drafting policy and procedure, holding juvenile hearings and filling in doing jury work. Introvert or extrovert? Introvert. What's your greatest achievement: Being a good husband and father. What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Spend more time with your family; girls will always be around. What would be your ideal job? A greeter at Disney World. Favorite Disney park/ride? The Magic Kingdom. Pirates of the Caribbean. What one thing do you wish people knew about your work? How totally dependent the court system is on clerks, how hard they work and how truly conscientious they are. Favorite joke: Two muffins get put into the oven on a baking sheet. The first muffin says, "Hey, it's really getting hot in here!" The second muffin says, "Oh my gosh, a talking muffin!!" What one habit do you wish you could break? Telling the truth. What is something most people don't know about you? I think my hair is beginning to thin just a little. What do you wish more people understood? That very few people act or speak with the intention of causing harm and ruining things. Motivations that are different from our own are still valid. If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be? Elvis, Harry Truman and my mom. Favorite movie: "The Sting." What's one thing you can do now that you couldn't do 20 years ago? Run a half marathon. Favorite place to spend money: iTunes. What is your motto? Don't put unnecessary limits on what you can do. Where would you like to be when you're 90? At the finish line of a marathon. Published: Thu, Feb 14, 2013