R.I.P. Judge Joseph Wapner

[miaedu]

'People's Court' Judge Joseph Wapner Dies At 97


Retired Los Angeles Judge Joseph Wapner presided over The People's Court from 1981 to 1993 — deciding real, small-claims cases.

The judge's son, David Wapner, told The Associated Press that his father died at home in his sleep after being hospitalized a week ago with breathing problems. He had been under home hospice care.

Wapner auditioned for The People's Court shortly after retiring in 1979 from Los Angeles courts, where he had been a judge for more than 20 years.

At one time, he was the presiding judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, the largest court in the United States.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-.../peoples-court-judge-joseph-wapner-dies-at-97

 

[gsdx]

The last I saw him, he was a guest judge on People's Court a year or so ago. I wish they had given him a case more exiting than a pair of shoes.

Rest peacefully.

 

[ronboy]

Judge Wapner was real.
He did not shout and chide to get his point across.
He was a class act, and told it the way it was.
May he rest in peace.

 

[rareboy]

He was great to watch.

 

[gsdx]

My biggest memory of him? The time he dropped the clock.

Sadly, we lost Rusty in 2002.

 

[nyctopgam]

Peoples Court became vulgar with Judge Judy. It was the real thing under Judge Wapner.

 

[mikey3000]

He was an example of gentlemanly professionalism. Sleep well, your Honor.