Former Chief Justice Anderson dies

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Former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Russell A. Anderson has died.

Current Chief Lorie Gildea made the announcement Thursday morning during a Judicial Council meeting. She said he died Tuesday night, surrounded by his family.

“He was a great leader, including a leader of this body when it was in its infancy,” she told Judicial Council members before asking them to observe a moment of silence.

In a written statement, Gildea said Russell will be remembered well for his “compassion, dedication and commitment to ensure that every Minnesotan has equal access to justice.”

“Russ led with integrity, intelligence and thoughtfulness, and his judicial career was only paralleled by his many civic contributions,” Gildea said. “He was a humble leader, a close mentor to me, and an inspiration to many who now carry his lessons of respect and humanity forward in their careers.”

On the court, she said, Anderson led efforts to combat domestic violence, to promote problem-solving, rehabilitation-focused courts, and to enhance public access to court information. “He was also a strong advocate for a fair and impartial judiciary,” she said.

During his tenure as chief justice, Anderson worked closely with former Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz to unify the trial and appellate courts under the newly formed Minnesota Judicial Branch. He later called that the proudest of his Supreme Court accomplishments.

He joined the court in 1998 as an appointee of Gov. Arne Carlson. Gov. Tim Pawlenty elevated him to chief justice in 2006. He retired in 2008.

Anderson began his long legal career with the U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate General Corps, serving in Japan and in Washington, D.C.

He returned to Minnesota in 1976, launching a private practice in his hometown of Bemidji. He served as Beltrami County Attorney from 1978 to 1982, when Gov. Al Quie appointed him to the 9th Judicial District Court bench. Chambered in Crookston, he served as District Court judge for 16 years.

In total, he spent 25 years as a state District Court and Supreme Court judge. Last year, Gov. Tim Walz issued a proclamation declaring Oct. 28, 2019, “Russell Anderson Day.”

Anderson was 78 years old.