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Walter Stapleton
Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
In office June 2, 1999 – November 23, 2024
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
In office April 4, 1985 – June 2, 1999
Appointed by	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Seat established by 98 Stat. 333
Succeeded by	Thomas L. Ambro
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware
In office December 23, 1983 – May 8, 1985
Preceded by	James Levin Latchum
Succeeded by	Murray Merle Schwartz
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware
In office October 14, 1970 – May 8, 1985
Appointed by	Richard Nixon
Preceded by	Edwin DeHaven Steel Jr.
Succeeded by	Jane Richards Roth
Personal details
Born	(1934-06-02)June 2, 1934 Cuthbert, Georgia, U.S.
Died	November 23, 2024(2024-11-23) (aged 90) Penn, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Education	Princeton University (AB) Harvard University (LLB) University of Virginia (LLM)

Walter King Stapleton (June 2, 1934 – November 23, 2024) was a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.

Life and career

Early life and education

Stapleton was born in Cuthbert, Georgia on June 2, 1934. He received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Princeton University in 1956. He received a Bachelor of Laws from Harvard Law School in 1959. He received a Master of Laws from University of Virginia School of Law in 1984. He was in private practice of law in Wilmington, Delaware from 1959 to 1970. He was a deputy attorney general of Delaware from 1963 to 1964.

Federal judicial service

Stapleton was nominated by President Richard Nixon on September 22, 1970, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Delaware vacated by Judge Edwin DeHaven Steel Jr. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 8, 1970, and received commission six days later. He served as Chief Judge from 1983 to 1985. His service was terminated on May 8, 1985, due to elevation to the Third Circuit.

Stapleton was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on March 27, 1985, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, to a new seat created by 98 Stat. 333. He was confirmed by the Senate on April 3, 1985, and received commission the following day. He assumed senior status on June 2, 1999. His service was terminated upon his death in 2024.

Death

Stapleton died in Penn, Pennsylvania on November 23, 2024, at the age of 90.

See also

• List of United States federal judges by longevity of service

Sources

• Walter King Stapleton at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.