Well Known Salem Judge, Albin Norblad, Died as a Result Of A Fall

It was determined that Judge Norblad died of a subdural hematoma which was the result of an accidental fall.

(SALEM) - The Salem Police Department responded to the residence of Marion County Circuit Court Judge Albin Norblad at about 10:00 AM Monday to check on him since he was not answering his telephone.

After obtaining a key to the residence, officers entered and found him deceased. A police investigation was initiated as is standard in all unattended deaths.

An autopsy was performed in Clackamas by Dr. Larry Lewman of the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office. It was determined that Judge Norblad died of a subdural hematoma which was the result of an accidental fall.

Background from Wikipedia

Albin Walter Norblad III (March 15, 1939 – February 10, 2014) was an attorney in the U.S. state of Oregon, and a judge of the Oregon Circuit Court for the 3rd judicial district, in Marion Countyat Salem. He was named for his father, A. Walter Norblad, and grandfather, A. W. Norblad, both prominent Oregon attorneys and politicians.

Born in Astoria in 1939, his family moved to Stayton, Oregon, in 1953. After a United States Army discharge in 1958 and a year's study at Georgetown University, Norblad obtained a bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon and a law degree from the Willamette University College of Law. Before becoming a state court judge, he had served as a municipal court judge and a deputy district attorney.

His lengthy career as a jurist included a number of controversial and high-profile cases, including a 1994 decision upholding a state law banning enforcement of local anti-gay rights ordinances. As a juvenile court judge during the 1970s, Norblad made hundreds of unpopular decisions, reportedly sending more youths to MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility than any other judge in the state.

The judge was disciplined by the Oregon Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability in 2002 with a thirty-day suspension following a drunk driving incident, an action which was upheld on appeal to the state Supreme Court.

He was the state's longest sitting judge. According to Article VII of the Oregon Constitution, he would have had to retire at the end of 2014. He died in Salem, Oregon on February 10, 2014, from a brain hemorrhage after a fall; he was 74.

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Anonymous February 21, 2014 5:36 pm (Pacific time)

I appeared before Judge Norblad in the 70's on a child visitation issue. He was presented with documentation that my sons were afraid of their father, their father took them and a rifle in a car late at night looking for his girlfriend, their father often didn't show up for visitations and Norblad ruled to continue visitations as they were. He demonstrated total disregard for my children, their feelings and well being! The world is a better place without such a "well connected" judge who continued sitting on the bench after a drunk drive conviction.

Anonymous February 18, 2014 4:36 pm (Pacific time)

He would not have veteran status because he did not complete a set time in the military as prescribed by law during that period. He had no regular discharge, nor a medical one, no DD214. I assure you if he was a regular veteran it would be listed in his Obit, or even when he was running for political office.. His father did serve during WWII in Army Intelligence. He was elected to the 1st Congressional District in 1946. Teenager Norblad simply could not cut it in Basic Training and dear ol'congressman Dad used his political influence to get him out. Nothing going on in 1958, unless you were in the Airborne or various specialized units operating overseas. Norblad could not even operate a vehicle, and frankly his Dad did America a great service by getting him out. Too bad he didn't do something else with his son before he died in 1964. It is a myth that Norblad was even considered taking over his dad's office when he died. Norblad was appointed to his judicial position because of politics, not ability. He frequently had his ruling overturned. He was a horrible individual, absolutely horrible. Surprised he lived as long as he did because of his heavy drinking and driving. The Oregon legal community is a better place today.

Anonymous February 15, 2014 4:49 pm (Pacific time)

Why would he not have veteran status?

Anonymous February 13, 2014 3:22 pm (Pacific time)

From above article: "After a United States Army discharge in 1958." He would have been 19, thus he really never had "veteran status" and he did not serve in the guard, he was "excused" via political influence by his congressman father. A few years ago driving a 2 ton vehicle down I-5 at a high rate of speed he was convicted of Drunk Driving. He nearly was removed from the court as was the desire of the Judicial Fitness Commission. The swing vote that allowed him to stay was by Wallace Carson Jr, a childhood friend. The world is a far better, and safer place now.

Interesting, I have a feeling a lot of people share your thoughts, I happen to know one or two.

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