Douglas K. Amdahl

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Amdahl, Douglas K. age 91, of Richfield. Native of Mabel, MN. Retired State Supreme Court Chief Justice, died on August 24, 2010. Preceded in death by wife, Phyllis; son, Charles; parents, Olean and Beaulah; sisters, Dorothy and Donna; and infant brother. Survived by daughter, Faith of Mpls; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Douglas served in the Army Air Forces 924th Aviation Regiment as a Cryptographer from ‘42-'45. European Theater; Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Awarded Certificate of Merit. BBA University of Minnesota 1945, JD Summa Cum Laude William Mitchell College of Law, 1951, L.L.D. (Hon.) 1987, Registrar Minneapolis College of Law 1951-65, partner Amdahl & Scott, Mpls 1951-55, Asst. Hennepin County Attorney 1955-61, Municipal Court Judge, Mpls 1961-62, 4th District Court Judge 1962-80, Chief Judge 1973-75. Associate Justice Minnesota Supreme Court, 1980-81, Chief Justice 1981-89. Of Council Rider, Bennett, Egan & Arundel, Mpls 1989-99. Moot Court Instructor U of M, faculty member and advisor Nat'l College State Judiciary, adjunct faculty William Mitchell College of Law, member Nat'l Board Trial Advocacy, Nat'l Center for State Courts, Coordinating Council on Life-Sustaining Decision Making by the Courts 1989-93, member ABA (Chairman) Commission on Standards of Judicial Administration 1987-96, Int'l Academy Trial Judges, State District Court Judges Assoc., Conference of Chief Judges, Delta Theta Phi law fraternity. Instrumental in establishing the Minnesota Court of Appeals, building the Minnesota Judicial Center, advocating unification of trial courts, original member MN Sentencing Guidelines Commission. Member of numerous civic organizations and boards of directors. Survivor of two plane crashes, twice retired, and mosquito house maker extraordinaire. Memorials preferred to the American Lung Assoc. or Chief Justice Douglas Amdahl Scholarship Fund at William Mitchell College of Law. Private interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Memorial service 12:00 noon Wed., Sept. 1 at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, 5025 Knox Ave. S., Mpls. Visitation 5-8 PM Tuesday, with Masonic Service 7:30 PM at: Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 West 50th St. & Hwy. 100

Published on August 25, 2010