The U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands is mourning the death of Senior Judge Alex R. Munson, who died Dec. 5 in Sandpoint, Idaho. He was 84.
Munson served as the court’s second chief judge from 1988 to 2010, guiding the CNMI judiciary through its transformation into a modern district court. He was first appointed chief justice of the High Court of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in 1982, later nominated by President Ronald Reagan to lead the CNMI District Court and reconfirmed by President Bill Clinton in 1998.
During his tenure, Munson also served in Guam, Palau and American Samoa, and was a longtime participant in Pacific Judicial Conferences. Colleagues praised his integrity, compassion and mentorship, noting his role in strengthening the region’s legal institutions.
In a statement, Gov. David M. Apatang expressed condolences, honoring Munson’s decades of service to the Commonwealth. He praised the judge’s leadership in shaping the federal court system, his integrity, fairness and respect for the people and cultures of the region. Apatang emphasized Munson’s lasting impact on the CNMI’s legal framework and remembered him for his humility, civility and dedication to justice.
Born in South Gate, California, Munson earned degrees in education before completing his law degree at Loyola Law School. He began his career as a teacher and later entered private practice before his judicial appointments.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy, in-laws, nieces and nephews.
