Henry Ford McQuade

Henry Ford McQuade, 91, died Dec. 13, 2006 at St. Alphonsus Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was born Oct. 11, 1915 in Pocatello, Idaho, the son of Irish parents, Mary Ellen Farnan McQuade and Joseph Michael McQuade. He attended grade school and high school in Pocatello, graduating in 1935. In 1940, he graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in history, followed by a law degree in 1943. While working his way through college, from 1937 to 1943 he served as Justice of the Peace for Latah County, Idaho. At the age of 22, Justice McQuade received recognition from a National Publication, "Photogravure" as the youngest Justice of the Peace in the United States, From 1938-1943 he served conjunctively as the Police Judge for the City of Moscow, Idaho. Also from 1939-1943 he served as a United States Commissioner for the Idaho Federal District Court. On the day Pearl Harbor was bombed, Dec. 7, 1941, Henry had his first date with the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Downing. They were married the following year, April 11, 1942. After law school graduation, he served from 1943 to 1946 as a member of the United States Army, last serving in the rank of Captain in the Intelligence Division with the Ninth Service Command in Salt Lake City, Utah. Between 1946 and 1950 he served as Prosecuting Attorney for Bannock County. From 1951-1956 he served as District Judge for the then 5th Judicial District (now known as the 6th Judicial District). Interestingly enough, at the same time, his brother Jack was also elected as District Judge in Moscow, Idaho, the first time in Idaho history two brothers served as District Judges. In 1956 Governor Robert E. Smylie appointed Henry to the Idaho Supreme Court. During the time he served on the Court he was Chief Justice three terms. While on the Idaho Supreme Court he authored over five hundred opinions among which are several that are studied by law students throughout the United States. Throughout his career, Justice McQuade was active in the reformation of the Judicial System of Idaho. He initiated the first program in the State of Idaho for continuing education and training for the lower court judges. He served on the Idaho Supreme Court until 1976 at which time he retired to accept an appointment by President Gerald Ford as Deputy Administrator of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA) in Washington, D.C. In 1977 he served as an Administrative Law Judge with the Occupational Health and Safety Review Commission. He also helped author the Code of Criminal Justice. In 1981, Henry and his beloved Betty retired in Boise. Justice McQuade was an avid golfer and during the course of his life he scored two holes in one and made many friends while golfing at Crane Creek, Plantation and courses throughout the valley. Justice McQuade maintained an active role in community activities. Among those activities were: Centennial Committee, Boise Red Cross, Idaho Highway User's Association, Boy Scouts, and the Idaho Youth Legislature. In 1964, Justice McQuade was honored in the Idaho Statesman as a Distinguished Citizen. In 1989 he was inducted into the University of Idaho Hall of Fame. Throughout his career, he received many awards and citations recognizing his achievements. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Boise, Idaho.