Page 25 - MayJune25 Report

MEMORIALS
Memorials honor the lives of deceased members of the local Bar. For more information, contact Lisa Quintanilla at (513) 699-1391 or lquintanilla@cincybar.org.
Bernadine "Tina"
Topazio
1954 – 2024
Bernadine “Tina” Topazio of Love-
land, Ohio, died peacefully on July 17,
2024, after a courageous battle with ALS.
Tina was an avid runner for many
years, completing several marathons
throughout her life. Tina and her
husband of over 30 years, Mark Fullerton, loved to travel the
world, visiting Italy, Poland, and Austria, just to name a few coun-
tries. Her family owned a restaurant in Bloomingdale, Ohio, Pike
Inn, where many family gatherings were held and enjoyed.
Tina received a Juris Doctor degree from Northern Kentucky
University’s Salmon P. Chase College of Law, a master’s degree
from the University of Cincinnati, and a bachelor’s degree from
Miami University (Ohio). During her legal career, Tina worked
as corporate counsel at Convergys and Ohio Casualty Group.
In addition, Tina served as an adjunct law professor at her alma
mater, NKU-Chase, for over 20 years. She taught several courses,
including Employment Discrimination Law, Employment Law,
ERISA, Insurance Law, and Legal Research. She brought energy
and passion to the classroom, and she loved the relationships she
forged with Chase and its students. Without fail, Tina attended
the annual graduation ceremony to see her students receive their
degrees. Even after she was diagnosed with ALS, Tina insisted
on continuing to teach, and she did so by creating online courses
for her students. Her students admired and respected her, always
submitting excellent evaluations of her teaching.
In addition to her parents, Tina is preceded in death by her
loving husband, Mark Fullerton, infant brother, Jeffrey Mark,
and a niece, Jennifer. Tina is survived by her brother, Dominick
(Laura) Topazio; nephew, Joseph (Melanie) Topazio; two great-
nieces (Hannah and Chloe); Aunt Mary Conroy, several cousins,
and friends.
Robert “Bob” Furnier
1956 – 2024
Robert Raymond Furnier passed
away at home on January 26, 2024. Born
on August 25, 1956, in Pasadena, Texas,
he was the son of James and Machiko
Furnier. Bob earned both his bache-
lor’s and master’s degrees from Miami
University before serving in the U.S.
Army at Fort Sheridan. Following his
military service, he attended the University of Cincinnati College
of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor.
Bob practiced law for nearly 40 years, working in firms of all
sizes and specializing in complex litigation. Throughout his career,
he represented individuals, corporations, and governmental enti-
ties, while also serving in law firm management and leadership.
He was deeply committed to upholding the highest standards of
ethics and client service. Bob was also appointed as a member of
the Hamilton Tax Levy Review Committee.
Later in his career, Bob transitioned into academia, serving as
a faculty member at NKU Chase College of Law and the Southern
University Law Center. At Chase, he was the Director of the W.
Bruce Lunsford Academy for Law, Business, and Technology, a
program that gained national recognition from Bloomberg Law
as the top law school program for innovation and business during
his tenure.
Bob was passionate about legal technology and its impact on
the profession’s future. He developed and taught online courses
exploring the intersection of technology and the law, served on
the board of ABA Techshow, and held leadership roles within the
ABA’s Law Practice Division. He co-founded the ABA’s Women in
Legal Tech Summit and was a driving force in advancing oppor-
tunities for women, underrepresented minorities, and individuals
with disabilities. His contributions included leadership roles not
only in the Women of Legal Tech Summit, but also in the ABA
Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession,
and other initiatives. Additionally, Bob co-founded a legal tech-
nology startup that utilized early open-source video conferencing
to connect HBCU law students and attorneys with disabilities to
corporate legal departments and major law firms.
Bob’s life was defined by his unwavering commitment to
helping others succeed, both personally and professionally. He was
known for his kindness, integrity, wit, selflessness, and creativity.
He embraced many roles throughout his life—loving partner,
devoted father, brother, grandfather, uncle, friend, mentor, musi-
cian, avid cyclist, loyal Bengals fan, professor, attorney, veteran,
and civic volunteer.
Bob is survived by his partner, Jane Keller; his children, Chris
Furnier, Nicholas Furnier, Nathan Furnier, and Alyssa Hartleb
(Alex), as well as their mother, Karyn Furnier. He is also survived
by his siblings: Pete Furnier (Carol), Dave Furnier (Reeny), Mike
Furnier (Ewa), Rick Furnier (Sharon), Carolyn Petty (Jody), Janet
Alsip (Steve), John Furnier (Ann), and Dan Furnier (Kelly).
THE REPORT | May/June 2025 | CincyBar.org 25