October 20, 1993(1993-10-20) (aged 77) Salem, Oregon, U.S.
Spouse(s)
Selma Denecke, Marguerite L. Gahr
Arno Harry Denecke[1] (May 7, 1916 – October 20, 1993) was an American jurist born in Illinois. He served on the Oregon Supreme Court from 1963 to 1982, and as the 37th Chief Justice of the court from 1976 until leaving the bench. The World War II veteran retired from the United States Army at the rank of colonel in 1974.
Then with the outbreak of World War II, Denecke joined the Army and served with the 70th Infantry Division from 1941 to 1945.[2] After the war he served in the Army Reserve.[2] He retired as a colonel after 28 years in 1974.[2] In 1945, Arno was married to Selma Jane Rockey, of Portland, Oregon. They had five children, Ginger, David, Will, John, and Anne.[3]
Additionally, Denecke was a trustee for both the Oregon Graduate Center (now part of OHSU) and Reed College in Portland. He also served as chairperson for the YMCA Youth & Government program, and served as an overseer to Lewis & Clark College.
Judicial career
In 1962, Arno Denecke was elected to the Oregon Supreme Court.[8] He then served starting in 1963 until he resign from the bench on June 30, 1982.[8] He was re-elected in 1968, 1974, and 1980.[8] Denecke was selected as chief justice in 1976, and served in that capacity until he resigned in 1982.[8] While on the bench he wrote many opinions including Seattle-First National Bank v. Oregon Pacific Industries, 262 Or. 578, 500 P.2d 1033 (1972) and Gustafson v. Payless, 269 Or. 354, 525 P.2d 118 (1974). As chief justice he was involved with reforms of the court that centralized many administrative tasks under that position.[2]
Later years and family
After leaving the court he was an advocate for school reforms[9][10] and led an investigation of Oregon's State Accident Insurance Fund.[11] Denecke was married to Marguerite L. Gahr. He had two stepchildren, Michael Potter and Shirley Potter.[2] He had 3 children with longtime wife Selma. Arno Denecke died on October 20, 1993, in Salem, Oregon, at the age of 77.[2] The Marion County Bar Association gives the Arno Denecke Award annually to attorneys for pro bono work.[12]
Publications
Author of, The Judiciary Needs Your Help Teachers, 22 J. LEGAL EDUC. 197, 203 (1969).[13]