Daniel Joseph Kremer

Dainel J. Kremer, former Presiding Justice of California's Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One, passed away February 17th at the age of 88. A beloved husband, devoted father, loving grandfather and lifelong scholar, he leaves behind a legacy of integrity, public service, and quiet strength.

Born on November 21, 1937, in Olympia, Washington, Justice Kremer overcame polio as a teenager to build an extraordinary career in law. He earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from Stanford University and began his legal career as a Deputy Attorney General for the State of California in Sacramento.

He led the Criminal Division of the California Attorney General's San Diego office and served as Chief Assistant Attorney General. In 1983, he was appointed to the San Diego County Superior Court and two years later was appointed Presiding Justice. Over the next 18 years, he oversaw thousands of appellate decisions, earning a reputation for careful legal reasoning and administrative leadership. In 2002, he was honored as Jurist of the Year by the Judicial Council of California in recognition of his outstanding service to the state judiciary. He retired from the bench in 2003.

Outside of his career, Justice Kremer led a loving and fulfilling life with his family. In 1963, he met his future wife, Kathryn, at a bank of mailboxes in their apartment building and proposed one week later. They began their life together in Sacramento, where they lived for nine years and welcomed their two sons before settling in Del Mar as his legal career advanced. Married for 56 years, they were true partners and best friends until Kathryn's passing from cancer in 2020.

Beyond his judicial service, Justice Kremer devoted himself to his community. He volunteered with the KPBS Radio Reading Service reading newspapers for the blind, served as a canon lawyer, and was a lector at St. James Catholic Church. He had a deep love of history, auto racing, travel, and time spent with a good book. Together with Kathryn, he explored Europe extensively, never allowing physical challenges to limit his curiosity or enjoyment of the world.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Pauline Kremer and his brother Michael. He is survived by his two sons: Aaron and Brendan; his daughter-in-law Susan, and his two granddaughters, Jordan and Allison.

Services will be held on April 24th at St. James Catholic Church in Solana Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival or KPBS.