Utah's legal community lost a jurist of integrity and great energy this week with the passing of Aldon J. Anderson.
A former U.S. District Court judge for Utah, Anderson had a long and distinguished legal career stretching back to his graduation from the University of Utah law school in 1943. He was twice elected district attorney for the Third District in the 1950s and was appointed a Third District judge in 1957. He was appointed a federal judge in 1971 and became chief judge for the district of Utah in 1978. He became a senior judge in 1984.But more than simply fulfilling his duties as a judge, Anderson was active in furthering the legal profession on a national level. He was president of the U.S. District Judges Association for the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, and he helped establish the American Inns of Court and served as first chairman of the United States Inn of Court Foundation. Later, the Aldon J. Anderson Inn of Court was named in his honor.
This involvement in professional associations and foundations was a life-long pursuit. Earlier, Anderson served as president of the District Attorneys Association and as president and presiding judge of the State District Judges Association.
More than a jurist, Anderson was actively involved in his church, serving in ward and stake leadership roles as well as on the Sunday School General Board and the Adult Correlation Committee of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a master teacher, teaching business law classes at the University of Utah and early morning church seminary classes to students at Highland High School.
And he was an accomplished athlete, becoming nationally ranked as a state singles and doubles champion in handball, as well as a multi-year state champion in racquetball and a city squash champion.
Anderson's life of honor and tireless service has made him an inspiration to many, and he will be missed.