Retired federal judge and Rudman Center Advisory Board member Judge Norman H. Stahl died on April 8, leaving a legacy of committed service to both the nation and the state of New Hampshire. Judge Stahl was a mentor to many, including Rudman Center Director John Greabe, who clerked for him at the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire.
The Hon. Norman H. Stahl, who died on April 8, 2023, was a retired First Circuit Court of Appeals judge, Rudman Center Advisory Board member, and mentor to many who went on to distinguished legal careers.
"I am deeply saddened by the death of Judge Stahl, who was a lifelong mentor to me and to many others--including advisory board members Chief Judge Landya McCafferty and Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald--who had the privilege of clerking for him. Judge Stahl worked as a judge until he was 90 and remained deeply interested in public affairs and the health of our nation until the end of his life. He was a great lawyer and a wonderful, caring man whose positive civic impact on the state of New Hampshire was profound and lasting." -- John Greabe, Rudman Center Director.
In addition to serving as a judge, Stahl worked for many years as a partner with the firm Devine, Millimet, Stahl, and Branch. During that time, he was lead counsel for the state during the pendency of the bankruptcy of the Public Service Company of New Hampshire.
Stahl was a good friend of U.S. Sen. Warren B. Rudman. On Rudman’s recommendation, in 1990, President George H. W. Bush nominated Judge Stahl to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire, where he served until he was nominated for the First Circuit Court of Appeals, succeeding David H. Souter after Souter was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Stahl, who joined the Rudman Center Advisory Board in 2018, was particularly proud of his work in obtaining funding for and choosing the architect for the Rudman Courthouse in Concord. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege and pleasure of knowing him and working with him.
For more on Judge Stahl, read Remembering Norman Stahl by Brad Cook, Rudman Center Advisory Board member.
