Former Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Russell Anderson dies at 78

Former Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Russell Anderson has died at the age of 78.

Anderson, who was born in Bemidji, served on the state’s highest court for 10 years from 1998 to 2008. He was Chief Justice for his final two years on the bench.

Current Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea issued the following statement Thursday:

"Chief Justice Russell Anderson will be remembered with fondness and respect for his compassion, dedication and commitment to ensure that every Minnesotan has equal access to justice. While on the court, he led efforts to combat domestic violence, promote problem-solving courts that focus on rehabilitation, and enhance public access to court information. He was also a strong advocate for a fair and impartial judiciary. Russ led with integrity, intelligence, and thoughtfulness, and his judicial career was only paralleled by his many civic contributions. He was a humble leader, a close mentor to me, and an inspiration to many who now carry his lessons of respect and humanity forward in their careers."