'Well-loved' judge dies of heart failure

By Jeremy Pawloski | The Olympian • Published June 24, 2008

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Judges across the region reacted with sorrow upon hearing that Thurston County District Court Judge C.L. "Kip" Stilz died Monday because of complications from congestive heart failure at Providence St. Peter Hospital.

"He was very well-loved," said Washington Supreme Court Justice Mary Fairhurst, who knew Stilz from his work on the Judicial Information System Committee responsible for implementing the statewide databases for court records. "Very professional, very respectful of those who came before him. He had a tender soul."

Stilz, 63, is survived by a daughter, Kathleen, and a grandson, Zachary, as well as his father, Clifford Stilz Sr., and brother, Tom Stilz.

Stilz will be remembered as a staunch advocate of the First Amendment and a firm believer in the public's right to have access to the courts, said one of Stilz's close friends, Larry Watkinson.

King County Superior Court Judge William Downing said he and Stilz served together on the Washington Bench-Bar-Press Committee's "Fire Brigade Subcommittee," that helps resolve conflicts between the press and the courts.

As a member of the fire brigade, Stilz worked behind the scenes to troubleshoot, talk to judges and ensure the press's access to the courts, Downing said.

Downing said he was always gratified to see bar polls through the years showing that Stilz maintained high favorability ratings from the attorneys who appeared before him. Washington Appeals Court Judge Ken Grosse, who worked with Stilz on the Judicial Information System Committee, added that Stilz's knowledge of Olympia was invaluable.

"I'll really miss him and the judiciary's going to miss him," Grosse said.

Stilz had been on medical leave from the bench since early April, and announced in May that he would retire in August because of health issues.

Stilz was elected Thurston County District Court Judge in 1984. Presiding Thurston County District Judge Susan Dubuisson said the district court staff was stunned and saddened Monday by the news of Stilz's death. Dubuisson said Stilz will be remembered for his keen intellect and his mentorship of judges who were elected to the bench after him.

"His service to the citizens of the state will be remembered way beyond the community here," Dubuisson said.

In recent years, Stilz helped create and served as presiding judge for Thurston County Mental Health court, a program that helps some offenders with mental health problems get access to the social services they need. Watkinson said Stilz cared deeply about the people he served in Mental Health Court, and he tried to make a positive difference in their lives.

Watkinson also touched on Stilz's private side that friends and family knew -- his infectious sense of humor, and his role as a "cheerleader" in the lives of his loved ones, always rooting for them to achieve the best in their lives.

Added Watkinson of Stilz, "He would not want our lives to stop because of his death. He would want us to continue on with our causes."

A memorial service is being arranged.

Jeremy Pawloski covers public safety for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5465 or jpawloski@theolympian.com.