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Judge Ralph P. Edgerton

DIVISION III, POSITION 1

August 1, 1972–December 8, 1972

Appointed by Governor Evans

Judge Ralph Edgerton received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Whitman College in 1931 and a law degree from Gonzaga in 1936.

Judge Edgerton served on the Spokane County Superior Court from 1950 to1972, in the newly created Department 6. He was appointed by Governor Arthur B. Langley. Governor Dan Evans appointed Judge Edgerton to Division Three of the Court of Appeals in 1972. Judge Edgerton’s two appointments may have prompted him to comment at the investiture of Judge George Shields that, “the definition of a judge is a lawyer who once knew a governor.”

At the time Judge Edgerton reached the Court of Appeals, he had already served sufficient time on the superior court bench to qualify for retirement. When the time came for his retention election, Judge Edgerton paid the filing fee, but opted not to campaign. Judge Ben McInturff filed against Judge Edgerton, resulting in Judge Edgerton’s involuntary retirement from the court in December 1972.

Judge Edgerton had a long and active retirement. In addition to continuing to serve the Court of Appeals on a pro tem basis, Judge Edgerton was on the board of Whitman College and received an honorary LLD from the institution in the mid-1970s. He was also involved in Beta Theta Pi fraternity, the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, the Masons, the Spokane Chess Club and the Spokane Symphony.

Judge Edgerton died in 1996 at age 87.

 

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