Background
Urbom, Warren Keith was born on December 17, 1925 in Atlanta, Nebraska, United States. Son of Clarence Andrew and Anna Myrl (Irelan) Urbom.
Urbom, Warren Keith was born on December 17, 1925 in Atlanta, Nebraska, United States. Son of Clarence Andrew and Anna Myrl (Irelan) Urbom.
AB with highest distinction, Nebraska Wesleyan University, 1950; Doctor of Laws (honorary), Nebraska Wesleyan University, 1984; Juris Doctor with distinction, University of Michigan, 1953.
Born in Atlanta, Nebraska, Urbom was a Technical Sergeant in the United States Army during World World War II, from 1944 to 1946. He received an Bachelor of Arts from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1950 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School in 1953. He was in private practice in Lincoln, Nebraska from 1953 to 1970.
On March 11, 1970 Urbom was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska vacated by Robert Van Pelt.
Urbom was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 23, 1970, and received his commission on April 24, 1970. He served as chief judge from 1972-1986.
He was also an adjunct instructor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Law from 1979 to 1990. He assumed senior status on December 31, 1990.
On August 22, 2013 Urbom announced that he would step down from the bench in April 2014.
He retired from the bench on April 25, 2014.
Trustee St. Paul School Theology, Kansas City, Missouri, 1986-1989. Active United Methodist Church (board managers, board global ministries 1972-1976, general committee on status and role of women, 1988-1996, general conference 1972, 76, 80, 88, 92, 96, 2000). President Lincoln Young Men’s Christian Association, 1965-1967.
Board governors Nebraska Wesleyan University, chairman 1975-1980. With Army of the United States, 1944-1946. Fellow American College Trial Lawyers.
Member American Bar Association, Nebraska Bar Association (house of deals 1966-1970, Outstanding Legal Educator award 1990, President's award for Professionalism 2006), Lincoln Bar Association (Liberty Bell award 1993, president 1968-1969), Kiwanis (Distinguished Service award 1993), Masons (33 degree, Grand Master's Humanitarian award 2003), American Inns of Court (Lewis F. Powell Junior award for Professionalism and Ethics 1995), Robert Van Pelt American Inn of Court (Lifetime Mentor award, 2002).
Married Joyce Marie Crawford, August 19, 1951. Children: Kim Marie, Randall Crawford, Allison Lee, Joy Renee.