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Barron Patterson McCune

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Barron Patterson McCune
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
In office
April 1, 1985 – September 10, 2008
Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
In office
December 18, 1970 – April 1, 1985
Appointed byRichard Nixon
Preceded bySeat established by 84 Stat. 294
Succeeded byWilliam Lloyd Standish
Personal details
Born
Barron Patterson McCune

(1915-02-19)February 19, 1915
West Newton, Pennsylvania
DiedSeptember 10, 2008(2008-09-10) (aged 93)
Washington, Pennsylvania
Political partyRepublican
EducationWashington & Jefferson College (A.B.)
University of Pennsylvania Law School (LL.B.)

Barron Patterson McCune (February 19, 1915 – September 10, 2008) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Education and career

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McCune was born in West Newton, Pennsylvania, in 1915 and attended Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania.[1] As a student, he submitted jokes told by history professor Dr. Alfred Sweet to Judge magazine, splitting the $2 check from the publication.[1] He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, as well as the Buskin Club, a theater organization.[2] McCune received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Washington & Jefferson College in 1935.[1] As McCune then took a job with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio, his father encouraged him to study law.[1] He entered University of Pennsylvania Law School and earned a Bachelor of Laws in 1938.[3] After graduation, he rejected a job offer in Philadelphia, but he felt that the $1,800 salary wasn't enough to live on.[4] He returned to Washington in 1939 to work in his own private practice, serving in the United States Naval Reserve as a gunnery officer from 1942 to 1948.[3][5] In 1964, he became a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Washington County, Pennsylvania.[3]

Federal judicial service

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McCune was nominated by President Richard Nixon on December 8, 1970, to the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, to a new seat authorized by 84 Stat. 294. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 16, 1970, and received his commission on December 18, 1970.[3] He assumed senior status on April 1, 1985, and took inactive senior status in 1995.[5] His service terminated on September 10, 2008, due to his death.[3]

Notable cases

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During McCune's 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.[1] 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.[6][nb 1]

Other service

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McCune 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.[5] He was an avid fan of the Washington & Jefferson football team, attending every home game until the age of 92.[1]

Personal

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McCune was married to his wife, Edna Markey, from 1943 until her death in 1999.[6] They had three sons.[5] He was a member of the Church of the Covenant.[1] 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."[6] He died on September 10, 2008, in Washington, Pennsylvania.[3]

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.

— Senior U.S. District Judge Maurice Cohill, [4]

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "The Honorable Barron P. McCune". Education for a Lifetime. Washington & Jefferson College. Archived from the original on 2012-06-18. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
  2. ^ The Cross & Crescent. Vol. 22. Lambda Chi Alpha. 1935. p. 107.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "McCune, Barron Patterson". Biographical Directory of Federal Judges. Federal Judicial Center.
  4. ^ a b Cato, Jason (September 12, 2008). "Judge from West Newton remembered for 'quirky view' on law, life". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.[dead link]
  5. ^ a b c d "Remembering the Honorable Barron P. McCune '35 (1915–2008)" (PDF). W&J Magazine. Washington & Jefferson College. Fall 2008.
  6. ^ a b c d Ward, Paula Reed (September 12, 2008). "Obituary: Barron Patterson McCune / Federal judge for 24 years earned reputation for fairness". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Sources

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Legal offices
Preceded by
Seat established by 84 Stat. 294
Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
1970–1985
Succeeded by