Dodge, the ex-husband of Commissioner Judy Dodge, served as a Montgomery County Common Pleas judge from 1985 until 1996 and continued to serve as an active retired judge until a few years ago.
The University of Southern California graduate moved to the Dayton area after earning his degrees and practiced law for nearly 17 years prior to becoming a judge, according to his obituary composed by Routsong Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Among the high-profile cases Dodge presided over was the 1991 “love surgery” civil lawsuit against a local gynecologist who allegedly altered women’s genitalia.
The judge ordered Dr. James Burt arrested for ignoring a gag order in the case after the doctor gave a television interview.
In 1988, Dodge sent a pregnant drug addict to prison to give her unborn child a better chance of survival. The then 31-year-old woman was quoted by the Associated Press, “”I think that was really considerate of him, because he knows I been on drugs.”
Local attorney Tom Hansen said he knew Dodge well from defending clients in his courtroom. Hansen said he last saw Dodge at the courthouse one or two years ago.
“I thought he was a very good judge,” he said. “He was always accessible to attorneys. If you had a problem or question, you could always go in and talk to him. You didn’t have to make an appointment.”
Dodge is survived by his wife Sandy, four children, nine grandchildren, as well as a brother and sister, according to his obituary.
Private services will be held at Calvary Cemetery Chapel.
The family tells Routsong contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2808 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45206 or Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, OH 45420.
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