Published: Friday, November 20, 2009
Longtime judge’s life and work remembered
EVERETT — For nearly two decades Snohomish County Superior Judge James Allendoerfer labored to uphold the law and mete out justice from inside the county courthouse.
On Thursday, his family, friends and colleagues gathered in the same courthouse to honor Allendoerfer and how he touched their lives.
“Today in this courthouse where he loved to work and where he worked so well, I would like to lighten things up and brighten things up ... as we celebrate Jim’s life,” said Bruce Keithly, a longtime friend and former law partner.
Allendoerfer died July 30 after a three-month battle with brain cancer. He was 66.
The longtime jurist was analytical and thorough, his colleagues on the bench said. He was compassionate and thoughtful, attorneys added.
“I want you to know your grief is shared by many,” Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney Janice Ellis told Allendoerfer’s wife and daughters.
Ellis recalled the compassion and care Allendoerfer showed to an 8-year-old girl who reported being sexually abused by someone she knew.
Once the little girl was in the courtroom in front of Allendoerfer and the defendant, she was too scared to testify about what happened to her, Ellis said. Ellis was forced to dismiss the charge against the suspect.
Elllis, a deputy prosecutor at the time, later asked Allendoerfer if he thought there was something she could have done differently.
The judge was still engaged and quizzed Ellis about the case. He reached the same conclusion she had.
He had compassion for the little girl and a desire to see justice done, Ellis said.
“His legacy is a fair, engaged and respected jurist,” she said.
Allendoerfer’s longtime court reporter Bill Meek spoke of a different side of Allendoerfer — a witty, funny boss who officiated at Meek’s marriage and drafted a fake prenuptial agreement that allowed Meek to keep his Elvis memorabilia collection.
Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Paul Stern told the crowd that a day doesn’t go by that he doesn’t miss the respected judge.
Stern said he takes solace in knowing that Allendoerfer “certainly made me a better lawyer, a better advocate and a better person.”
Allendoerfer is survived by his wife Patricia and his daughters Barbara and Cheryl. He also is survived by his stepchildren Gina and Vince and five grandchildren.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.
On Thursday, his family, friends and colleagues gathered in the same courthouse to honor Allendoerfer and how he touched their lives.
“Today in this courthouse where he loved to work and where he worked so well, I would like to lighten things up and brighten things up ... as we celebrate Jim’s life,” said Bruce Keithly, a longtime friend and former law partner.
Allendoerfer died July 30 after a three-month battle with brain cancer. He was 66.
The longtime jurist was analytical and thorough, his colleagues on the bench said. He was compassionate and thoughtful, attorneys added.
“I want you to know your grief is shared by many,” Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney Janice Ellis told Allendoerfer’s wife and daughters.
Ellis recalled the compassion and care Allendoerfer showed to an 8-year-old girl who reported being sexually abused by someone she knew.
Once the little girl was in the courtroom in front of Allendoerfer and the defendant, she was too scared to testify about what happened to her, Ellis said. Ellis was forced to dismiss the charge against the suspect.
Elllis, a deputy prosecutor at the time, later asked Allendoerfer if he thought there was something she could have done differently.
The judge was still engaged and quizzed Ellis about the case. He reached the same conclusion she had.
He had compassion for the little girl and a desire to see justice done, Ellis said.
“His legacy is a fair, engaged and respected jurist,” she said.
Allendoerfer’s longtime court reporter Bill Meek spoke of a different side of Allendoerfer — a witty, funny boss who officiated at Meek’s marriage and drafted a fake prenuptial agreement that allowed Meek to keep his Elvis memorabilia collection.
Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Paul Stern told the crowd that a day doesn’t go by that he doesn’t miss the respected judge.
Stern said he takes solace in knowing that Allendoerfer “certainly made me a better lawyer, a better advocate and a better person.”
Allendoerfer is survived by his wife Patricia and his daughters Barbara and Cheryl. He also is survived by his stepchildren Gina and Vince and five grandchildren.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.
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