PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Ronald Castille, a former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice, military veteran and Philadelphia District Attorney, has died at the age of 82.
A Vietnam veteran, Castille lost his leg in combat in 1967. He started as an assistant district attorney in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office in 1971, hired by then-District Attorney Arlen Specter, and then served as District Attorney from 1986 until 1991.
During his time as DA, he helped spearhead the Philadelphia Vietnam War Veterans Memorial. Mike Daily is the current executive director of ceremonies at the memorial, and remembered Castille’s dedication.
“So out-going,” said Daily. “He would stand there many times speaking with his artificial prothesis. You could see how difficult it was for him to sit down, but that wouldn't stop him at all from coming down.”
Castille was elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 1993 and served until the mandatory retirement age of 70 in 2014.
In a statement, Chief Justice Debra Todd said Castille's life was "defined by an extraordinary commitment to service, duty and the pursuit of justice."
Castille was also a former Philadelphia District Attorney and military veteran.
Castille was also a former Philadelphia District Attorney and military veteran.
