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The Passing of the Hon. Rudolph T. Randa

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Press_Release.pdf

September 6, 2016

STATEMENT ON JUDGE RANDA’S PASSING

The judges and staff of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin were saddened to hear of the passing of Judge Rudolph T. Randa. Judge Randa died Monday morning after an eight-month battle with cancer. Judge Randa loved God, his family, his country, his community and the law. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin Law School, Judge Randa served with distinction in the United States Army in Vietnam between 1967 and 1969. He was appointed to the Office of the U.S. Attorney General in Washington, D.C., following his discharge. In 1970, he returned home to Milwaukee where he rose from the Milwaukee City Attorney’s office to the bench—first of Milwaukee Municipal Court, then the Circuit Court for Milwaukee County, and then the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. In 1992, Judge Randa was nominated to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin by President George H. W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate by unanimous consent. He served as Chief Judge of the District from 2002 to 2009. Judge Randa took senior status on February 5, 2016, shortly after his diagnosis, and continued to decide cases until late July. Judge Randa treated everyone who appeared before him with respect, and was known for his sharp mind, his strong faith, and his great sense of humor. His passing represents a great loss to the court, and he will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Melinda, and his family at this difficult time.