Frederick B. Ugast

UGAST Judge FREDERICK B. UGAST The Honorable Frederick B. Ugast, former Chief Judge of the Superior Court of Washington, D.C., died peacefully at his home on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, at age 92. A native Washingtonian, Judge Ugast attended Blessed Sacrament School and St. Charles College high school in Catonsville, Maryland. He received his bachelor''s and master''s degrees in philosophy from the Catholic University of America, and his LL.B degree from Harvard Law School in 1950. While in law school, Judge Ugast married the former Mary Agnes Larkin, at St. Patrick''s Church, Washington, D.C., on September 5, 1949. She was his beloved wife of 65 years before she passed away on July 11, 2015. They raised their six children in Chevy Chase, MD, and were blessed with 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Judge Ugast began his legal career at the U.S. Department of Justice as a trial attorney in the Lands Division, follow by leadership roles in various sections of the Tax Division. In 1969, he became the Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Tax Division. During his 23-year career at the Department of Justice, he received the Department of Justice Sustained Superior Performance Award in 1961 and the Attorney General''s Award for Exceptional Service in 1971. In 1973, he was appointed an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by President Richard M. Nixon. He served as presiding judge of the Criminal Division from July, 1981 to June, 1986, when he was appointed Chief Judge, succeeding H. Carl Moultrie I. Chief Judge Ugast served in that capacity until 1993, when he assumed senior judge status and heard cases actively until his full retirement from the Court in 2011. While on the bench, Judge Ugast chaired many court committees, including the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, the committee on Pre-trial Mental Examinations; the Advisory Mental health Rules Committee, and the Juvenile Mental Health Committee. As Chief Judge he established the first Drug Court, the Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division, and the Civil Delay Reduction Project. He also implemented the One Day-One Trial rule, which reduced the amount of time DC residents spend serving jury duty. During his tenure with the Superior Court, Judge Ugast received several significant awards from local and national bar associations, and in recognition of his contributions to the advancement of care and treatment of the mentally ill, the District of Columbia Government designated a diagnostic facility for mentally ill prisoners as the "Judge Fred B. Ugast Forensic Psychiatric Center" in 1976. Following the closing of the Center, the District of Columbia established the "Chief Judge Fred B. Ugast Pretrial Examination Branch" at the John Howard Pavilion of St. Elizabeth''s Hospital. In addition, Judge Ugast served as the Judge in Residence at the Columbus School of Law of the Catholic University of America from 1994 until 2013. He received an Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from the University in 1994. Judge Ugast also led a full life outside the Court, and was a dedicated parishioner at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, and later the Annunciation Catholic Church. He served as a Knight of Malta, President of the John Carroll Society (1993-1995), Chair of the Board of the Anchor Mental Health Association (2000-2002), and past President of the Board at the Westchester Apartments, where he and Mary resided for the past 30 years. He was also a member of the Columbia Country Club for over 50 years. A great sports fan, his passion for the Washington Redskins was legendary and he held season tickets for many years. A catcher in his youth, he also followed the Washington Senators and later the Nationals. He enjoyed playing tennis with friends and family, and was known to be fierce at net. A loving husband and father, he was devoted to his wife, Mary and their family. His passion for life and his genuine love of people coupled with an easy smile and warmth of spirit, endeared him to all who knew him. He was loved by many and will be missed by all. He was predeceased by his parents, Frederick H. and Susie W. Ugast, and his beloved sister, Sr. M.Frances Clare Ugast, CSC. He is survived by his children: Susan Coneys (J.J.), Ann Greenwood (Tom), Fred Ugast (Linda), Tom Ugast, Eileen Hudson (Chris) and Joe Ugast (Suzanne); grandchildren: Meaghan and Colin Coneys (Angelina); Tommy (Fariha), Liz, and Rachel Greenwood; Frederick, Lindsay, and Anna Mary Ugast; Spencer Ugast; Kevin, Cory, and Kyle Hudson; Joey and John Patrick Ugast; and great-grandchildren, Asher Greenwood and Charlotte Coneys. Friends and family wishing to pay their respects are invited to the viewing at DeVol Funeral Home, 2222 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. on Sunday, April 17, from 3 to 6 p.m. (complimentary valet parking available). On Monday, April 18, a second viewing, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., will be followed at 11 a.m. by a funeral Mass at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 3630 Quesada Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. Interment to be at a later date at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Contributions in his memory may be made to Catholic Charities, Mental Health Division, 924 G Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20001.Friends and family wishing to pay their respects are invited to the viewing at DeVol Funeral Home, 2222 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. on Sunday, April 17, from 3 to 6 p.m. (complimentary valet parking available). On Monday, April 18, a second viewing, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., will be followed at 11 a.m. by a funeral Mass at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 3630 Quesada Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. Interment to be at a later date at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Contributions in his memory may be made to Catholic Charities, Mental Health Division, 924 G Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20001.