[Hervams]

Born before the Titanic sank and, at 103, America's oldest judge says 'I'll quit when I think it's time'

Appointed by President Kennedy: U.S. Federal District Judge Wesley Brown

At 103 years old, he's the oldest working federal judge in America. But even though he uses an oxygen tank in court, retirement is not an option right now for Wesley Brown.

Based in Wichita, Kansas, U.S. District Judge Brown says he's asked colleagues to tell him if they feel he's no longer able to do his job.

But Mr. Brown added: 'I will quit this job when I think it is time.
'And I hope I do so and leave the country in better shape because I have been a part of it.'

Mr. Brown enters court everyday in his wheelchair and his stooped frame almost disappears behind the wooden bench.

He is one of only four appointees by President Kennedy still on the bench.

But in a profession where advanced age is not unusual, Brown has stunned colleagues with his stamina and dedication.

Of the 1,294 sitting federal judges, Mr. Brown is one of 516 on 'senior status,' a form of semi-retirement that allows a judge to collect his salary but work at a reduced case level if desired.

Mr. Brown took senior status in 1979 but carried on working full-time until recently.

He stopped taking new criminal cases in March and lightened his caseload, but he still takes his full share of the new civil cases.

He said: 'I do it to be a public service. You got to have a reason to live. As long as you perform a public service, you have a reason to live.'

Mr. Brown, who is known for his compassion for defendants, gets a ride to work every day at 8.30am and works until 3pm, the Associated Press reports.

District Judge Eric Melgren, 54, says Mr. Brown still has a handle on the main issues of today and social developments.

Mr. Melgren said: 'I don't get the perspective that he is stuck in the last century.

'His views are pretty much as the rest of us.'
Naturally, some people are skeptical that a man of that age should still be making decisions affecting large numbers of people.

'I don't care how good a guy he is,' said one local resident.

'Your mental and physical attributes diminish with age and I think there should be a cut-off date for federal judges. This is ridiculous to have him in there at that age.'