Judge gets rousing sendoff

Flathead District Court proceedings started out more like a prize fight Thursday when attorneys and court staffers recognized Judge Stewart Stadler on his last day overseeing criminal cases.

The lights were abruptly doused and a spotlight cast on defense attorney Sean “The Bitin’ Beaver” Hinchey as he was identified by the announcer. Then it was Deputy County Attorney Lori Adams’ turn, nicknamed “The Judge.”

Up next was Stadler.

“And today’s referee, wearing a black robe and a no-nonsense demeanor, a man who has been on the bench for 28 years and probably since 4 a.m. this morning, a military veteran who’s broken up as many fights in the courtroom as he has in the bar, a judge that isn’t satisfied with his decision until no one is satisfied with his decision, quite literally the long arm of the law, Stewart E. Stadler!” the announcer proclaimed.

After the lights were turned back on, clerk April Coen was called to the stand. After putting on a hat given to her by Stadler that featured the word “Whining” with a circle and slash over it, she and others launched into a rendition of the theme from “The Beverly Hillbillies.”

“Well the next thing you know, old Stu is sittin’ there, listenin’ to this and that and pulling out his hair. He said ‘enough’s enough! I really need some time for me!’ He paid his dues he’s on his way to bein’ a retiree. Vacation that is. Lifelong. Peace, quiet and pension checks,” the gathered crowd sang during the second verse.

Stadler will retire at the end of the year after 15 years as justice of the peace followed by 13 years on the bench in District Court. He is being replaced by Kalispell Municipal Judge Heidi Ulbricht.