Theodore "Ted" Alexander Gottfried, age 85 of Springfield, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 7:24 a.m. at Memorial Hospital in Springfield, surrounded by loved ones.
A Life of Public Service & Legal Leadership
Born in Chicago, Illinois to Theodore and Estelle Gottfried. Ted dedicated his life to upholding the law and ensuring equal justice for all. After earning his Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School in 1966, he began his career at a private practice before serving in the trial and appeal divisions of the Cook County Public Defender's Office.
Ted was a true pioneer in Illinois legal history. In 1970, he was named Director of the Illinois Defender Project, which established regional appellate defender offices across the state. Following the passage of the State Appellate Defender Act, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Ted in December 1972 as the very first State Appellate Defender of Illinois.
He went on to be reappointed to nine consecutive four-year terms, serving 35 years at the helm of the agency until his retirement on December 31, 2007. Under his leadership, the agency expanded to oversee capital defense units, managed representation in over 40,000 criminal appeals, and advocated tirelessly for public sector loan forgiveness for defense attorneys. His profound impact on the Illinois justice system led the state agency to create "The Theodore Gottfried Award" in his honor to recognize outstanding support staff dedication.
Recognitions & Honors
Throughout his 40-year legal career, Ted was honored locally and nationally for his contributions to justice, including:
ISBA Laureate Award (2001) — Academy of Illinois Lawyers / Illinois State Bar Association
Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree — The John Marshall Law School
Gideon Award — Illinois Public Defender Association
Reginald Heber Smith Award — National Legal Aid and Defender Association
Jenner & Block Award — Center on Wrongful Convictions
Larry Golden Civil Libertarian Award — Springfield Chapter of the ACLU
Meritorious Service Award — Presented by former Illinois Governor Richard B. Ogilvie
Life Beyond the Bench: An Adventurous Soul
Beyond the courtroom, Ted loved Chicago sports and was a loyal Bears and Cubs fan. He was an avid world traveler and passionate scuba diver. He found immense peace and joy in the ocean, with the tranquil waters and coral reefs of Bonaire holding a special place in his heart. Whether advocating for justice before the bench or exploring the deep blue underwater world, Ted approached life with deep curiosity, integrity, and unwavering dedication.
Family & Loved Ones
Ted loved his family deeply. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Gottfried; his children, Nicole Gottfried, husband Aaron Slater, William Gottfried and; grandchildren, Jada Gottfried and Savannah Boswell; his sister, Diane Lyons, husband Rick Lyons, their 3 sons Mark, David, and Ricky -their families and a vast community of legal colleagues, friends, and fellow dive adventurers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Estelle (Forys) Gottfried
Memorial & Service Details:
Visitation Service
Date: Friday, October 2nd, 2026
Time: 4:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Staab Funeral Home - Sherman, IL
2626 East Andrew Road Sherman, IL 62684
Memorial Contributions:
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ted’s honor to the Illinois Innocence Project https://innocenceproject.org/donate/
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