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Former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald Castille died Wednesday at age 82, court officials said. Castille served as district attorney in Philadelphia before being elected to the state's top court in 1993.
Castille retired in 2014 when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 for judges.
"I am deeply saddened by the passing of former Chief Justice Ron Castille, whose life was defined by an extraordinary commitment to service, duty and the pursuit of justice. His contributions to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and to the citizens of this Commonwealth leave a lasting mark on our Commonwealth," Chief Justice Debra Todd said in a statement.
Castille authored more than 400 majority opinions during his time on the bench, including significant decisions settling legal disputes related to freedom of speech, environmental law, redistricting and the separation of powers.
While Castille was chief justice, the Supreme Court established its Elder Law Task Force in 2013 to focus on the specific legal issues facing older Pennsylvanians, Todd said.
The needs of this growing population will continue for years to come, especially in regard to guardianship, elder abuse and access to justice. Now is the time to put into place solutions that will allow older Pennsylvanians to age without worries that they will be abused or that their money will be taken," Castille said at the time.
The court in 2015 established an Office of Elder Justice in the Court and Advisory Council on Elder Justice, which "are part of Ron Castille's legacy of service to Pennsylvania," Todd said.
Castille was severely wounded in 1967 while leading a search-and-destroy mission in Vietnam. After he was injured, then-Lt. Castille was rescued by his platoon Sergeant Angel Mendez, who was mortally wounded in the rescue. Castille lost his right leg as a result of his injuries. He received the Bronze Star with Combat "V" and two Purple Hearts.