Judge Paul Ribner

Judge Paul Ribner peacefully passed away on July 17, 2025, following a brief hospital stay related to complications that arose during his inpatient rehabilitation. Born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania to parents Jacob (Jack) Ribner and Sarah Goodman Ribner who moved to Philadelphia when the Judge was 6 months old, we now commemorate the life and legacy of an exceptional public servant and devoted Husband and Dad.

Judge Ribner attended Philadelphia public schools, graduating high school as class valedictorian. He attended the University of Pennsylvania for undergraduate studies followed by admission to Penn’s Law School where he earned his JD Law Degree in 1952. He joined the U.S. military in his 3rd year of law school and applied for a commission in the U.S. Air Force and was made a First Lieutenant. He served at bases located in San Antonio, Texas; Seattle and Tacoma, Washington; and Montgomery, Alabama where he took a military justice course and thereafter was assigned to Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas as a Judge Advocate and legal advisor to Colonel Jack Watkins who eventually became a General. While assigned to a base in San Antonio, the Judge was promoted to Captain during the time of the Korean War.

As relayed by the Judge, in 1973 Gerald Ford was Vice President serving under President Richard Nixon and had planned to attend a Jewish War Veterans (JWV) Convention in Las Vegas where the Judge was being honored as National Commander of JWV after being elected in 1974. When President Nixon resigned from office in August 1974, Vice President Ford became President and had to cancel his visit to Las Vegas but invited the Judge to the White House Oval Office to meet in the cabinet room on many occasions where he gave President Ford advice on amnesty for men who went to Canada to avoid the draft; advice on whether to pardon President Nixon or people who avoided the draft; and advice about Jewish War Veterans causes.

Returning to Philadelphia after leaving the Air Force, he was appointed as a Deputy Attorney General of Pennsylvania and later worked for the Public Utility Commission until 1963. During this period, he became a national leader in Veterans Affairs and was also nominated in 1971 by PA Governor Milton Shapp to be a Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas judge where he served until retirement 27 years ago. After becoming a judge, he was elected for two terms as National Commander of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States, originally formed in 1896 by Jewish Civil War veterans opposed to the anti-Semitic commentary about Jewish civil war service.

During his service as National Commander, the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Ford spoke at Duke University Law School where he made anti-Semitic remarks about Jews. In his pursuit of justice, the Judge called a press conference in front of the White House about the speech and demanded the Joint Chief’s firing. National news reported on the press conference and referred to JWV and other Jewish organizations and their opposition to anti-Semitism and the Joint Chief’s speech and demanded his firing. As National Commander he spoke on JWV causes in foreign countries including, among many others, Israel, Denmark and Great Britain and met with foreign leaders around the world, including Prime Ministers, Defense Ministers and Ambassadors.

As a judge who earned an impeccable reputation, he presided over numerous high-profile criminal and civil cases in the Philadelphia trial court and was recognized as an expert on various areas of the law. He was a member of local and state bar associations, member of Excelsior Mark Lodge No. 216, Drizin-Weiss Post 215 (JWV), Veterans of Foreign Affairs and many other organizations. Along the way, he received awards and commendations too many to list, but certainly they were all well-deserved. And for over 30 years he was a member of the highly regarded Germantown Jewish Center in Philadelphia.

Despite his Judicial, Veterans’ Affairs and other duties, he found time to serve as the International President of the Shotokan Karate Association (ISKF) and traveled the world to officiate at exciting Karate tournaments. He served 50 years under ISKF President Terri Okazaki and received his 5th degree in Karate from the Prime Minister of Japan. The Judge retired from his role 5 years ago.

A man of many talents with extraordinary skill, intellect and keen interest in multiple endeavors, Judge Ribner left an indelible mark on our society that will be remembered for years to come. His pursuit of justice and equity is a call and salute for the times. He leaves behind his devoted wife Judge Doris Smith-Ribner (retired statewide appeals court) and beautiful and talented daughter Sarah Ribner along with loving relatives in Pennsylvania, Florida and New York and friends and colleagues around the nation.

Relatives and friends are invited to Funeral Services on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 11:00 AM at Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Funeral Directors, Inc., 6410 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19126. Interment will follow at Roosevelt Memorial Park, 2701 Old Lincoln Highway, Trevose, PA 19053.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the University of Pennsylvania Law School. https://www.law.upenn.edu/alumni/support/