Former NJC Dean John Kern passes away

John W. Kern III, a former NJC dean and District of Columbia Court of Appeals judge, passed away at his home in Washington, D.C., on January 30. He was 89.

Judge John W. Kern III

Kern graduated from Harvard Law School in 1952 before joining the CIA, where he served for more than two years. He later served as the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia before entering private practice.

He was appointed to the D.C. Court of Appeals in 1968. He retired after 16 years on the bench. He then joined the NJC and served as the College’s fourth dean, from 1984-86.

Kern is survived by his wife, Margaret “Peggie” Cantlin-Kern. His full obituary is available here.

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