Howard J. Thelin

Judge Howard J. Thelin, a Glendale resident and former state Assemblyman, died March 25. He was 90.

Born Feb. 7, 1921, in Van Nuys, Thelin graduated from Glendale High School in 1939 and served with a medical battalion in the South Pacific as a U.S. Army Corporal during World War II.

After earning degrees from UCLA and USC, he was elected to the state Assembly, where he represented Glendale from 1956 to 1966. He served as a Los Angeles Municipal Court justice from 1966 to 1976 and in the Los Angeles County Superior Court from 1976 to 1987, when he retired.

His son, David Thelin, said his father was an impartial judge who “loved this city in every capacity he had, and he did what was good for the city of Glendale.”

His father also preached the importance of punctuality and experiencing life at the fullest potential.

“He made me and my brothers the men that we are now,” David Thelin said.

A fan of the Dodgers, he was a season ticket-holder for 30 years, with his most recent seats behind home plate.

A memorial has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday at Church of the Incarnation, 1001 N. Brand Blvd. Flowers can be sent in care of Forest Lawn. Call (800) 204-3131.

Howard Thelin is survived by his wife, Vivien; sons David, William and Richard; and granddaughter, Katrina.