Robert Brachtenbach

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Robert Francis Brachtenbach (January 1931 – May 2, 2008) was an American politician and jurist from the state of Washington.

1 Early Life and Education
2 Political career
3 Washington Supreme Court
4 Retirement and Death
5 External links

[edit] Early Life and Education

Brachtenbach was born in Sydney, Nebraska. His parents moved the family to Goldendale, then to the southeast of Yakima, when he was a young child. He started working at the age of 10 by working in the fields during harvest time. During his teenage years, he stocked grocery shelves.

Brachtenbach dropped out of Yakima High School (now Davis High School) in the mid-1940s in order to work full-time at the grocery store. At the urging of friends and family, he was persuaded to return to school. He attended Yakima Valley College, then the University of Washington, where he earned his law degree.

[edit] Political career

After earning his law degree, Brachtenbach opened a law practice in Selah.

In 1962, Brachtenbach decided to run for the Washington House of Representatives at the urging of his friend, Alex Deccio, a longtime state senator. He won the election and later served as a Republican floor leader. He did not seek re-election in 1966, opting instead to return to the full-time practice of law.

[edit] Washington Supreme Court

In 1972, Brachtenbach was appointed by Governor Daniel J. Evans to the state Supreme Court. He accepted the appointment after rejecting previous offers for lower positions. He also served a two-year stint as chief justice.

Brachtenbach served on the court for 22 years until his 1994 retirement, making his one of the longest serving justices in Washington state history. He was one of only five Yakima Valley residents to serve on the Washington Supreme Court.