Retired Valley Courts Judge Fred Rimerman Dies at 78

Fred Rimerman, a retired Los Angeles County Superior Court judge who worked in the Van Nuys and San Fernando courthouses for several years until his retirement in 1991, has died. He was 78.

Before becoming a judge, Rimerman, who died Thursday, was an elementary school teacher with the Los Angeles Unified School District and worked tirelessly on behalf of underprivileged children.

“He had a strong love of the law and always lived his life according to the law,” Gloria Rimerman, the judge’s wife of 45 years, said Saturday. “He always said the law is what keeps us human.”

Born in Cleveland on Dec. 14, 1921, Rimerman was reared in Los Angeles. He graduated from Hollywood High School and attended Los Angeles City College before leaving school to serve in the U.S. Air Corps during World War II.

Upon his return to Los Angeles in 1945, Rimerman earned his undergraduate degree and teaching credential from USC in 1948. He taught at Melrose Elementary School in Los Angeles while attending USC Law Center at night. He earned his law degree in 1956.

Rimerman practiced law in Los Angeles and Whittier from 1957 to 1969. Following stints as a Juvenile Court referee and Los Angeles County Superior Court Commissioner, Rimerman was appointed to the bench by Gov. Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown Jr. in 1978, succeeding Judge John L. Donnellan.

He remained passionate about the law and occasionally heard cases in Van Nuys and San Fernando courtrooms for several years after his retirement.

“The lawyers all loved him because he was a straight shooter,” said Michael J. Farrell, supervising judge at the Van Nuys courthouse. “He didn’t waste time and he was fair.”

Rimerman also was known for his deadpan humor and kind disposition.

“He was the sweetest person,” said Etta C. Astrachan, a secretary to all the judges at Van Nuys. “Everyone really liked him as a judge.”

Outside the courtroom, Rimerman volunteered with Jewish Big Brothers and enjoyed gardening and woodworking.

In addition to his wife, Rimerman is survived by two daughters, Barbara Dab and Rhonda Rimerman; a son, Howard Rimerman; two sisters, Rose Phillips and Marion Brower; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at Hillside Memorial Park Chapel, 6001 W. Centinela Ave., Los Angeles. In lieu of flowers, relatives request donations be made to Jewish Big Brothers.

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Times staff writer Caitlin Liu contributed to this story.