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‘Hefner’s life, work on Saipan a huge part of his life’
In this photo provided by his family, former Superior Court presiding judge Robert A. Hefner is shown with his grandchildren Kelly and Forest during Thanksgiving Day celebration in 2010 in Washington. (Contributed Photo)
Former Superior Court presiding judge Robert A. Hefner’s life on Saipan and his work in the CNMI was an important and huge part of his life, according to Hefner’s only surviving child, Coral.
In an email to Saipan Tribune yesterday, Coral, a teacher, said her father wanted her to let everyone on Saipan, friends, and family know of his health condition.
Coral said she doubts very much if her father would have lived this long if he hadn’t taken that first job as assistant attorney general for the Trust Territory on Saipan, the judge position on Palau, and the judge positions on Saipan.
“He loved being on the islands and with the people of the islands,” she said.
Hefner is battling cancer in Washington and needs prayers for his recovery, according to retired CNMI chief justice Jose S. Dela Cruz on Wednesday. Dela Cruz has been communicating with Coral regarding Hefner’s condition.
Coral said her father is at St. Anthony’s in Gig Harbour, Washington, and has been there since last Sunday with a blood clot in the left leg.
Coral said her father was undergoing chemotherapy treatment, but it was destroying his quality of life, so he finally decided last Tuesday that he was done with it.
Hefner will be discharged this Friday (Saturday Saipan time).
“I will bring him home to his place here in McCormick Woods, and a hospice nurse will meet us to discuss his care and needs,” she said.
Coral said her father was in the Korean War during the early 1950s and fell in love with the Pacific.
Coral said when she was born in 1956 in Santa Monica, California, her father decided that she would be “Coral.”
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 as one of the associate justices on the Trust Territory High Court.
In this photo provided by his family, former Superior Court presiding judge Robert A. Hefner is shown with his grandchildren Kelly and Forest during Thanksgiving Day celebration in 2010 in Washington. (Contributed Photo)
