---
title: "Robert M. Holter | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-m-holter-9353"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Robert M. Holter

U.S. District Court for the District of Montana · U.S. Magistrate Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Montana
- State: Montana
- Role: U.S. Magistrate Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Biography

### Professional career

- Recalled U.S. magistrate judge, District of Montana, 2003-2019-01-09
- “Bob” Holter was a distinguished federal judge of the United States District Court for the District of Montana, serving from 1988 until his retirement in 2002, and later recalled to service until 2019
- In 1978, he became the first Montana State District Judge in Libby, then in 1988 was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge in Great Falls
- He also served as a water judge and taught at the National Judicial College
- The U.S. District Court for the District of Montana honored his decades of service and legacy in the administration of justice

### Education

- University of Montana School of Law in — J.D. (1954)
- Bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana in 1950

### Additional information

- Judge Holter passed away May 11, 2025, at age 98.
- The federal court announced that he died on May 11, 2025.
- Date of death: 2025-05-11
- Retired from active service in 2002 but was recalled to the bench in 2003, with annual extensions until January 9, 2019, just before his 92nd birthday
- U.S. magistrate judge in Montana from 1988 until retirement in 2002, then returned on recall from 2003 until January 9, 2019.
- He earned his law degree from the University of Montana in 1954, practiced in Bozeman for 22 years, and was appointed a Montana state district judge in Libby in 1978.
- Before his legal career, he served in the U.S. Air Force and, in 1953, completed a record 23 smokejumps during an active season
- Born March 13, 1927 in Williston, North Dakota, to Mabel Cornelia and James Norman Holter Sr., Holter was the youngest of three siblings.
- A private family graveside service was held Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service.
- Robert M.
- Began his legal practice in Bozeman, Montana, for 22 years.
- Known as the “water judge” for all of western Montana

## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9353/robert-m-holter/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9353/robert-m-holter/)
- [U.S. District Court for the District of Montana current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9353/robert-m-holter/)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9353/robert-m-holter/)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, December 1, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-651872d6e45e0d82319ecccc) — Civil actions in United States District Courts; Rule 81 exceptions apply. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-civil-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.
- [Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, December 1, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-8721a344fececced2257fe1d) — Criminal proceedings in United States District Courts; this conservative mapping does not distribute appellate-specific provisions to appellate judges. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-criminal-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.