Oldest U.S. judge dies at 104

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Updated: February 27, 2012 9:55AM

WICHITA, Kan. — The nation’s oldest sitting federal judge in history has died at 104.

U.S. District Judge Wesley Brown presided over significant and often complex cases right up until his death.

In a 2011 interview, he was asked how planned to leave the post. Replied Brown: “Feet first.”

He came to work at the courthouse every day until about a month ago when his health deteriorated.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson recalled an incident that occurred when Brown was about 98. A phone started ringing in the courtroom — the judge’s own cell.

“He immediately fined himself $100 and held himself in contempt,” Anderson recalled. AP