Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 9, 1994 TAG: 9411090078
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"It's been an extremely rewarding and fulfilling experience," said Trabue, who, as the senior jurist, also serves as chief judge of the 23rd Judicial Circuit, which includes Roanoke, Roanoke County and Salem.
Trabue, 61, said he had been considering retirement for several years. "I had always planned to retire somewhere between 60 and 62," he said.
In addition to presiding over a daily docket of criminal and civil matters, Trabue said he has been working on several projects that he wanted to complete before retirement.
One of those was the creation of a sixth judgeship to handle a steadily growing caseload in the 23rd Circuit - a goal that was accomplished this year with the swearing in of Circuit Judge Richard Pattisall.
Before Trabue was appointed to the bench in 1977, there were only four Circuit Court judges in the Roanoke Valley.
In letters mailed this week to Gov. George Allen, legislators and local court officials, Trabue said his retirement will be effective Dec. 31.
Trabue said he does not plan to enter private practice after leaving the bench but will be available to hear cases on a substitute basis.
Last year, the General Assembly appointed Trabue to another eight-year term, which would have lasted until 2001. Legislators are expected to appoint Trabue's replacement next year after local bar associations make endorsements.
At about the same time, the valley's circuit judges will select a new chief judge.
An Illinois native, Trabue is a graduate of Purdue University and Indiana University Law School. He came to Roanoke in 1962 as a lawyer for an insurance company, and went into private practice in 1965.
He has served as president of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. After being appointed a judge in 1977, Trabue sat primarily in Roanoke for several years before moving to his current office in the Roanoke County Courthouse.
Some judges in Virginia have said recently that they plan to retire early because changes in the state retirement system will reduce their pensions. Trabue said that was not a factor in his decision.
by CNB