Barron Patterson McCune
| Barron Patterson McCune | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania | |
|
In office December 18, 1970 – April 1, 1985 | |
| Nominated by | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | None[nb 1] |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
February 19, 1915 West Newton, Pennsylvania |
| Died |
September 10, 2008 (aged 93) Washington, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Edna Markey[2] |
| Alma mater |
Washington and Jefferson College University of Pennsylvania Law School |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | U.S. Naval Reserve |
| Years of service | 1942–1948 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Barron Patterson McCune (February 19, 1915 – September 10, 2008) was a United States federal judge.
He was born in West Newton, Pennsylvania in 1915 and attended Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania.[3] As a student, he submitted jokes told by history professor Dr. Alfred Sweet to Judge magazine, splitting the $2 check from the publication.[3] He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, as well as the Buskin Club, a theater organization.[4] McCune received an A.B. from Washington and Jefferson College in 1935.[3] As McCune then took a job with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio, his father encouraged him to study law.[3] He entered University of Pennsylvania Law School and earned an LL.B. in 1938.[1]
After graduation, he rejected a job offer in Philadelphia, but he felt that the $1,800 salary wasn't enough to live on.[5] He returned to Washington, Pennsylvania in 1939 to work in his own private practice, serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a gunnery officer from 1942 to 1948.[1][6] In 1964, he became a judge in the Court of Common Pleas in Washington County, Pennsylvania.[1] On December 8, 1970, he was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania; he was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 16, 1970.[1] He assumed senior status in 1985.[1]
During his tenure on the court, he heard a wide variety of cases, including a case involving cocaine trafficking in Major League Baseball and an insurance law case determining whether certain women with breast cancer had insurance coverage for bone marrow transplants.[3] He held in favor of Allegheny County in a challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union to a display of the Nativity scene at the Allegheny County Courthouse.[2][nb 2]
He was known for being a large man, standing 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 215 pounds, and his judicial demeanor was marked by his "one-liners, an imposing demeanor, and a penchant for cigars."[2] He retired from the bench in 1995.[6]
He was active with his alma mater, Washington & Jefferson College, serving on the Board of Trustees for 40 years, including a time as president of the board from 1976 to 1983.[6] He was an avid fan of the Washington & Jefferson football team, attending every home game until the age of 92.[3]
He was married to his wife, Edna Markey, from 1943 until her death in 1999.[2] They had three sons, Edward M., James H., and Barron P. Jr.[6] He was a member of the Church of the Covenant.[3] He died in 2008 in Washington, Pennsylvania.[1]
He always reminded me of a country philosopher sitting on the front porch of a general store. He had such a quirky view on things.
Notes
- ↑ McCune was the first to be appointed to a new seat, created by 84 Stat. 294.[1]</ref>Succeeded by William Lloyd Standish<ref>"Standish, William Lloyd". Biographical Directory of Federal Judges. Federal Judicial Center.
- ↑ The United States Supreme Court overruled him in the case of County of Allegheny v. ACLU.[2]
Sources
- Barron Patterson McCune at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "McCune, Barron Patterson". Biographical Directory of Federal Judges. Federal Judicial Center.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Ward, Paula Reed (September 12, 2008). "Obituary: Barron Patterson McCune / Federal judge for 24 years earned reputation for fairness". Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The Honorable Barron P. McCune". Education for a Lifetime. Washington & Jefferson College. Archived from the original on 2012-05-15. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
- ↑ The Cross & Crescent. 22. Lambda Chi Alpha. 1935. p. 107.
- 1 2 Cato, Jason (September 12, 2008). "Judge from West Newton remembered for 'quirky view' on law, life". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) . Retrieved August 11, 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 "Remembering the Honorable Barron P. McCune '35 (1915-2008)" (PDF). W&J Magazine. Washington & Jefferson College. Fall 2008.