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Former judge Hefner battling cancer, needs prayers
Former Superior Court Presiding Judge Robert A. Hefner is battling cancer in Orchard Port, Washington, and needs prayers for his recovery, according to retired CNMI Chief Justice Jose S. Dela Cruz yesterday.
Robert A. Hefner
Dela Cruz said he had just communicated with Hefner’s daughter, Coral, who informed him that her father is still in the hospital and might be released to hospice care.
Dela Cruz said Coral would like to inform their friends and acquaintances in the CNMI about her father’s health condition because he had a long-term presence in the Commonwealth.
“I urge the people of the Commonwealth to remember him and offer prayers so that he could get well,” he said.
Hefner served as Superior Court presiding judge from 1989 to 1991. He was chief judge of the Trial Court (now Superior Court) from 1985 to 1989. He served as associate judge of the Trial Court from 1979 to 1985.
Prior to being named trial judge, Hefner served on the Trust Territory High Court.
Dela Cruz, the first chief justice of the CNMI Supreme Court, said he started in the CNMI Judiciary working with Hefner when he (Dela Cruz) was appointed to the Trial Court in 1985.
Dela Cruz said when he was appointed chief justice, Hefner remained as presiding judge of the Superior Court.
Before serving in the CNMI, Hefner served as one of the associate justices on the Trust Territory High Court, which was the court system for all of the Trust Territories, including Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and the Northern Marianas.
“He’s a very straight arrow. He follows the law strictly. But he has a sense of humor also,” Dela Cruz said.
He said that when the Commonwealth was established, Hefner was appointed as one of the Commonwealth judges, together with Herbert Soll.
Dela Cruz said Hefner’s wife, Betty, and their son, Robert Jr., predeceased him.
