Judge Richard G. Weinberg
On Wednesday, January 13, Judge Richard Weinberg passed away peacefully at the age of 88. He will be remembered as a man of humility and grace. He served as Circuit Judge for the 7th Judicial Circuit from 1981 until 2000. He also retired as a Brigadier General of the Florida National Guard. The Weinberg Drop Zone at Camp Blanding was named in his honor.
Judge Weinberg was born in New York City, New York in the borough of Manhattan in March, 1932. However, he grew up in Miami. In high school, Judge Weinberg played baseball becoming a city All-Star and state champion. However, his real claim to fame was attending high school with Barbara Walters. He always enjoyed a lovely chuckle relaying this tidbit of information.
Judge Weinberg attended the University of Florida as an ROTC cadet, attaining his Accounting degree. Upon graduating from the university, Judge Weinberg received his ROTC commission (2nd Lieutenant) and spent four years in the U.S. army. He served two of those years as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. After leaving the army, Judge Weinberg used his G.I. Bill to return to the University of Florida to attain his second degree, Juris Doctor of Law. He was a member of the University of Florida Law Review and attained the highest grade in Agency receiving the Book Award. After completing his degree, Judge Weinberg joined the Weinstein, Weinberg, & Weinstein law practice as a partner in St. Augustine.
While practicing law, Judge Weinberg joined the Florida National Guard as a legal advisor and later formed a Special Forces Unit (Green Beret) and became Battalion Commander. After sixteen years with his unit, Judge Weinberg assumed the role of Brigade Commander of the 53rd Infantry Brigade, Florida's largest guard unit, nicknamed the "Gator Brigade." He was a graduate of the Command & General Staff College as well as the prestigious Army War College. He retired from the military in 1989 as a Brigadier General. His many service decorations include Legion of Merit, overseas deployment medal (Panama), two awards of the Florida Cross, Master Parachutist, Military SCUBA, French Commando School (Martinique), and West German parachute wings. However, the accolade that meant the most to General Weinberg was being considered "a soldier's soldier" by those who served with him.
In addition to his military career, Judge Weinberg had a reputable career as a trial lawyer. He served ten years as Municipal Judge, City of St. Augustine, from 1963 to 1973; in 1981 was appointed by Governor Graham to Circuit Judge for the 7th Judicial Circuit. Judge Weinberg also served as Associate Judge 5th District Court of Appeal (Daytona Beach) from 1982-1983. After retiring from the bench, Judge Weinberg became a Senior Judge for ten years in Ocala, Florida and other surrounding areas.
Professionally, Judge Weinberg was admitted to practice in all courts of Florida and federal including the U.S. Supreme Court of Florida. He was a two term President of Florida Municipal Judges Association, two term President of National Guard Officers Association, and President of St. Johns County Bar Association.
Personally, Judge Weinberg was Director of St. Augustine YMCA for ten years, Education Secretary of Florida Conference of Circuit Judges, and ABA Traffic Standards Commissioner; a member of the Greater Daytona Chapter 82nd Airborne Division Association, Special Forces Association, Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency; and Volunteer Survivor Assistance during Vietnam and Desert Storm, United Way.
Judge Weinberg is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Lilo Michelle Weinberg of Heidelberg, Germany; two sons, William E. Bradley, a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer III and retired Principal System Support Engineer for Raytheon MSD, Abu Dhabi, UAE; and Thomas E. Bradley, a retired National Guard Captain and retired Assistant Chief of Police. William's family includes his wife, Lynda C. Bradley and their sons, Christopher, Jonathan, and Richard. Tom's family includes his wife, Karen M. Bradley; their sons, Paul and Jacob; their daughter, Ashley; and grandchildren, Jaiden, Westin, Lukas, Miguel, and Javier. Extended family includes Judge Weinberg's beloved Foerster family in Germany; preceded in death by his brother, Alfred.
Judge Weinberg's memorial service will be held this coming Saturday, January 23, at 11:00 am at the SFB parade field, located at 82 Marine Street, St. Augustine. A reception at the Officers' Club will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of personal choice.
