Letter: Judge Irwin W. Stolz Jr. dies at age of 94
On behalf of the State Bar of Georgia, I am writing to extend condolences to the family, colleagues and many friends of retired Court of Appeals of Georgia Judge and State Bar Past President Irwin W. Stolz Jr. on his passing at the age of 94.
A Georgia Bar member since 1958, Judge Stolz began his legal career in Lafayette with his best friend Norman Fletcher, a future chief justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia. He also served as county attorney for Walker County and was a member of the Board of Governors of the State Bar prior to his election as the 1970-71 president of the State Bar.
In 1972, then-Gov. Jimmy Carter appointed Judge Stolz to the Court of Appeals of Georgia, where he served through 1977. After leaving the bench, Judge Stolz reentered the practice of law, joining another friend, former U.S. Sen. David Gambrell in the firm of Gambrell and Stolz, where they practiced for 25 years. In 2002, Stolz moved to Athens and started the firm of Hurt and Stolz.
In addition to his achievements in the legal profession and judiciary for more than six decades, Judge Stolz earned notoriety as a marathon runner and especially as a competitive “masters” swimmer in his 60s, attaining All-American status many times and breaking two world records that remain on the books today. Before law school, he also served his country as a member of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.
Judge Irwin Stolz will be missed and fondly remembered by his fellow members of Georgia’s legal community. We appreciate his career-long dedication and the many contributions he made through his service to the public and the justice system.
J. Antonio “Tony” DelCampo, president, State Bar of Georgia
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Letter: Judge Irwin W. Stolz Jr. dies at age of 94
