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Peter Messitte Obituary
Peter and his wife Susan were Peace Corps Volunteers in Brazil from 1966-1968. After that, Messitte opened a private law practice in Montgomery County. In 1980, he was elected as a Delegate to the Democratic Convention where he organized and acted as Chair of the Uncommitted Delegate Caucus. After 14 years in private practice, Peter became a Judge on the Circuit Court for Montgomery County where he served for eight years. He was appointed U.S. District Judge for the District of Maryland by President Bill Clinton in 1993, where he served in active status until 2008 and thereafter as Senior District Judge. Throughout the years, Messitte advised on issues of global jurisprudence to Portuguese-speaking nations, most significantly to Brazil, and was awarded the Order of the Southern Cross for his contributions by the President of Brazil in 2016.
Peter Messitte had an outstanding career as a lawyer and a judge, but more than all else, he was immensely proud of his family and judicial colleagues.
A memorial service celebrating Messitte's life will be planned for later this Spring.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Peter Messitte
Fernanda Junqueira
June 11, 2025
It is with deep sorrow that I extend my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Judge Peter. Beyond the robe and responsibilities, he was a person of profound integrity, wisdom, and kindness.
I had the privilege of knowing him not only as a remarkable jurist, but also as a friend whose warmth, thoughtfulness, and unwavering sense of justice left a lasting impression. His legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched, and in the example he set for all who believe in fairness and dignity.
May you find comfort in the memories you shared, and strength in knowing how deeply he was respected and loved.
With deepest sympathy,
Fernanda Junqueira
Joao R. L. Fernandes (Judge - Labor Court for the 1st Circuit - Rio de Jane
June 9, 2025
As a great connoisseur of Brazil and the Brazilian legal system, Judge Messitte was an extraordinary human link fostering contact and cooperation between the Judicial Branches of Brazil and the United States. I deeply regret this loss and extend my heartfelt condolences to his family.
Brian Christaldi
February 3, 2025
Peter and I were friends at Amherst where we served on the Student Council together and then reconnected when my wife, Amy and I moved from NYC to Chevy Chase MD.
Amy also knew Peter when he was an upper class-man at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School. He has always been an intelligent, levelheaded gentleman. I was fortunate to have known Peter and will miss him.
Sandy Short
February 3, 2025
Peter was a friend at Amherst. When in private practice, he called me several times to chat about legal issues. I thoroughly enjoyed those conversations. He had an extremely keen, dexterous, and practical legal mind. I will miss him greatly. Sandy
Lisa Bingham
January 23, 2025
I had the pleasure of working for Judge Messitte for 7 wonderful years. He was more than my boss, he was like a father to me. He was an amazing man through and through, and he will be greatly missed.
Richard Warren
January 21, 2025
I have known Pete Messitte since our days in junior high school, as a friend, a classmate and a judicial colleague. In all aspects of life, he was an exemplary person. We pretty much lost contact after he went on the federal bench, but he was an invaluable mentor to me when I first became a Circuit Court judge in Wicomico County, where I relocated after military service. His always friendly demeanor, his practical and legal wisdom and his ready smile and laughter will never be forgotten. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. His was a life well lived and one of which I am sure you are deeply proud and happy to have been a part. May you find the strength and insight to know, in this time of deep loss, that, in your memories and your hearts, he will live forever.
Nicole Kramer Mitchell
January 21, 2025
Dear Zach and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. What an amazing, productive, distinguished life your father led. May you find joy and comfort in his memory.
With love,
Nicole
Anne Fretz
January 20, 2025
Peter was a fine person who lived his values every day and made a positive difference in the lives of many others. Nathan, Rachel and I send heartfelt condolences to Susan, Zach and Abby.
Neil Dilloff
January 18, 2025
Judge Messitte was the best judge before whom I have ever practiced. He was fair, thoughtful, and knowledgeable. I will never forget my positive experiences before him. He was a wonderful human being.
Alex Williams
January 18, 2025
Judge Messitte served brilliantly as both a state and federal judge. He was fair, hardworking, insightful, and practical. As one of his colleague on the federal bench at Greenbelt, Maryland, we often conferred and shared thoughts, experiences and laughter. It was because of his work and leadership with the the judicial international relations s Committee that many of us on the Court were able to participate in rule of law and other conferences abroad and across the globs. Peter contributed to law and justice in a mighty way and his presence will be missed.
John Harmon
January 17, 2025
Gail and I have been friends of Peter and Susan in St Mary's County for over 20 years
They have been great friends and we will miss Peter immensely
Ken Fitch
January 16, 2025
Judge Messitte was a fair and knowledgeable jurist. It is with great sadness that I read about his passing. He will be missed. May God bless his family during this time.
Brooke Lierman
January 15, 2025
Judge Messitte was a wonderful jurist and a fascinating person to learn from. I had the pleasure of clerking in Greenbelt and enjoyed getting to hear his stories - and stories from his clerks as well. He will be missed. My condolences to Susan and to his entire family.
Michael McCullough
January 15, 2025
I had the pleasure of working with Judge Messitte when I was at the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative as director for Latin America and the Caribbean. Judge Messitte served for many years as special advisor to our council, where I had the chance to witness firsthand his sharp legal intellect, his passion for justice, and his love for the region, all of which were a tremendous benefit to our work. Judge Messitte was a powerful advocate for the importance of our work, and more importantly, for the rule of law in general. He spoke with such gravitas and respectfulness on this subject in our meetings with senior foreign officials and thought leaders in the U.S. that I was deeply impressed by his persuasiveness.
Years later, I reached out to Judge Messitte in my personal capacity, and he very graciously made time in his very busy schedule to speak at length with me, despite having far more pressing professional matters at hand. I greatly appreciated his warmth and hospitality.
The rule of law has lost a powerful advocate, but his legacy will ensure.
Marta S. Goldstein
January 15, 2025
I knew Peter since he was an attorney then a judge in Montgomery County and I began my carreer as an Interpreter for the courts. We worked together on many, many cases and even travelled to Mexico with Chief Justice Renquist. He was an incredible advocate for the interpreters he worked with, particularly because he spoke Portuguese and Spanish and understood the difficulty or our job. I interpreted for many of the groups he brought up to the Federal Greenbelt Court, and felt a unique partnership with him. I will miss him dearly. My deepest condolences to his wife and children.
Marta S. Goldstein Federal Court Cerfied Spanish Interpreter
Andrea (Jellinek) Dearlove
January 15, 2025
Having Judge Messitte marry us will always be one of the most special memories of our lives. The fact that he knew our family since we were young, as my sister Rachel and I grew up with Zach and Abby as our friends, made the time we spent with him that much more special. He was such a kind, gentle, insightful and wise man. Our hearts are broken for this loss. Paul and I are sending love and comfort to Mrs. Messitte, Zach and Abby. XO Andrea (Jellinek) Dearlove & Paul Dearlove
Mario Kohan
January 14, 2025
María Florencia Budiño y Mario Eduardo Kohan, Judges of the Court of Cassation of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, regret the departure of the beloved Judge Messite. Last spring, we had the honor of meeting him and sharing experiences at his Court and at the American University of Washington DC.
Despite the little time we have shared with Judge Messite, we have come to admire his vocation and passion for the law and without a doubt it is a mirror so that everyone who works in the judicial branch should look at themselves.
We regret his departure and send our condolences to his family. We are going to miss him.
Nancy and Harry Benner
January 14, 2025
Peter was a neighbor and a friend, always friendly and kind. He will be missed. We offer our deepest condolence to Susan, Zach, and Abby.
jo fogel
January 14, 2025
To The Messitte Family and community
What a wonderful man who will be missed for so many substantive and special reasons. I was fortunate to have enjoyed and learned from his intellect, worldview, and great sense of humor in lawyering, state judging and federal judging. He was always thoughtful, in charge but inclusive, and informative along the way. I will cherish my personal memories of various interactions, and can only wish for all of us that the lessons he taught us and the opinions he delivered will stay with us as the instant guideposts they became. May his memory be a blessing. Jo Fogel
Mario Eduardo Kohan
January 14, 2025
I´m Judge Mario Kohan, from Argentina.
I had the honor of meeting Judge Messite last year. In that wonderful week that I lived with a group that went from Argentina, I was able to meet a great Judge, a passionate teacher and a much better human being. I was impressed by his vitality, energy and desire to share his great wisdom.
His spirit has left a mark on me despite the short time I shared with him and he will undoubtedly be an inspiration for me in my career. My condolences to your family and I am very sorry for your loss and I accompany you in this hard times.
Judy
January 14, 2025
I am also a State of Maryland retiree. I met Judge Messitte during the 9 years I worked for Prince George's County, attended a couple of his court hearings and as a State of Maryland retiree attended additional court hearings regarding Fitch v Maryland. Judge Messitte always impressed me - he was a fair and kind man. Rest in peace my friend.
Mary
January 14, 2025
I am so sad to hear the news of his passing. I am a State of Maryland Retiree. The state of Maryland attempted to switched us to the Federal program starting 2019. He presided over the case, Fitch v Maryland and granted the injunction to keep the state of Maryland from taking action. I was in the court room that day in October 2018.
I will never forget his comment to the Maryland AG, "Why these people."
Thank you Judge Messetti for your heartfelt compassion to the elderly retirees of Maryland.
Rest in peace.
Mary
Debbie Whelihan
January 14, 2025
Dear Susan, Zack, and Abby, Please accept my sympathy on the loss of Judge Messitte. In the late 1980's, I had a few motion hearings and a trial in front of Judge Messitte. Judge Messitte called and talked in person to my bosses and encouraged them to make me a partner even though I had practiced only a few years. From my first appearance before him, Judge Messitte became my mentor and was always involved in my career. Although I occasionally pushed back against his advice, he was always right. Judge Messitte was a superb judge and a good person. When he became a federal judge, he showed me the advertisement from Better Home and Gardens of the house that he was going to buy. He always talked about how much he loved you all. I remember how happy he was when he planned his trip to visit you, Zach, in Itally and how proud he was. When the Jordans moved into their condominium on Connecticut Avenue, Judge Messitte would call me and let me know how they were doing as they aged, because he cared. Besides me, I watched him mentor other young lawyers. I am sorry that I saw him last at Paul Grimm's retirement and that I was not a better friend. I have no doubt that he is in heaven. I will miss him terribly.
Alan Banov
January 14, 2025
I met Peter because his brother Michael was a friend of mine at NLRB-- actually Michael was my "rabbi" there. When Peter ran for Circuit Court judge as an outsider, I campaigned for him. He was a very good judge on both the Circuit Court and Federal Court, and he was a very good person. I will miss him. I send my sympathies to Susan and his family.
Steven Dettelbach
January 14, 2025
I practiced before Judge Messitte and tried several cases in his courtroom. He was a wonderful jurist and person. As serious as the cases were, Judge Messitte also brought kindness, humanity and even sometimes a light moment or two to the tense atmosphere. As a young, cocky prosecutor, I was still so nervous the day that my father, my model and an accomplished trial lawyer traveled to see me in trial before the Judge. After the Judge took the bench, I stood up, my dad in the first row, and announced "The government calls its first witness." Judge Messitte just looked over his glasses at me, and wryly said, "That´s wonderfull, Mr. Dettelbach. What do you say we bring the jury in to the room also before we start up?" He was looking straight at my dad and they were both cracking up together at me. Later, of course, he warmly told my dad about how I was doing so well. Boy, the Judge gave my dad one heck of a day (and a pretty good story on me to boot!). What a great judge and great person. He will be sorelymissed.
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