The Chief I Knew

Chief Justice William Hubbs Rehnquist died with his boots on. Those boots came each from his native Wisconsin and his adopted Arizona, and he loved them both. He worked until the end, but the enormous importance of his work did not detract from his other interests and talents, and it cannot begin to reflect his personality. This essay does not address his jurisprudence; rather, it is a collection of some personal memories that describe an admirable character whom I, and nearly everyone else, found to be most enjoyable company. Bill Rehnquist was one of the most thoughtful, considerate people I've ever known. He was a humble man with great good humor, and he was, to the very end, a man of surprises.