The Judge

Pete Riddle served on the California Superior Court for the County of San Diego from 1987 through 2000. His assignments included Probate, Civil Litigation, Juvenile Delinquency, and Juvenile Dependency. He derived his greatest satisfaction from his work on cases that helped neglected and abused children.

The following are notes from attorneys who posted on a San Diego estate planning list serve about their courtroom experiences with Pete:

Judge Peter Riddle was our Probate Judge in the 80s and early 90s, and a colleague before that. He was a class act in judicial temperament and decision-making, as well as a friend and mentor to everyone. For those of you who never had the chance to know him or appear before him in court, you truly missed an excellent judge and person.  - Daniel B. Crabtree 

Absolutely a great guy and colleague. As funny and bright as he was tall!    - Dick Thorn

I agree. I had a trial in front of him, and he was always a gentleman.  - Cheryl Edwards Tannenberg

The best - hands down!  - Daniel F. Morrin, Esq.

Pete's death is sad news indeed. He had the perfect judicial temperament and was funny to boot. We were lucky to have known him.   - Tom Henry

I did a jury trial before him when will contests were jury trials. One of my favorite judges ever. - Scott Cole

He was remarkably good.  The first judge I ever appeared before, and a class act.  - Ricky Maveety

Sad news.  A great gentleman.  - Richard McCue

Very sad news indeed.  Pete was a great guy.  He was a big man (6'5" or so) and had been a Navy SEAL in his younger days.  As a lawyer and judge, he was careful and studious and he was a very good friend.  We are lessened by his loss.  - Jack G. Charney