A LIFE WELL LIVED

Editor -- The Chronicle story ("Judge Richard Iglehart -- pushed for
gun ban," July 3), even though lengthy, omitted certain important
things about Judge Iglehart's accomplishments. As the representative
of the California District Attorneys Association in Sacramento in the
1970s, he was of critical assistance in the passage of two milestone
pieces of legislation that have been of critical importance for
millions of Californians:

1.) The landmark consenting adults legislation by then-Assemblyman
Willie L.

Brown Jr., which presaged the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision by 30
years.

2.) Sen. George Moscone's SB95 of 1975, which changed the way
possessors of minor amounts of marijuana for personal use -- not for
sale -- would be treated under the law. It was Iglehart who brought
law enforcement acceptance of changing the law to a citation-style
offense with the ability to expunge the record of the offense from any
court records. Iglehart worked tirelessly to bring moderate
Republicans in line with Democrats to adopt SB95.

Other highlights worth noting:

His fine work as chief deputy district attorney in San Francisco. His
work to make the three-strikes law less rigid in application by
allowing judicial discretion. His support for virtually all UC
Berkeley activities, especially athletics. His handling of the Alameda
County Drug Court with aplomb and commitment. A fine family man and a
"guys' guy," as his wife noted to me.

What a great life! Too bad it ended so early.

Don Solem

Mill Valley