by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
After about 20 years presiding over a courtroom in the Fourth Judicial Circuit, Judge Aaron Bowden retired on Thursday.
Ceremonial courtroom four was the setting for the retirement ceremony, the third of three it has hosted in the last two months. Bowden was noticeably nervous before the ceremony.
“You get to pick the people who will speak at the ceremony,” said Bowden, with a chuckle. “But you can’t pick what they are going to say.”
Before the speakers began talking about the guest of honor, Judge Peter Dearing, one of Bowden’s fishing buddies, finished the invocation with a prayer for big fish to find the end of Bowden’s line.
“He always stressed professionalism,” said Hugh Cotney, a friend of Bowden’s despite being an Auburn fan. “He would encourage me to call the other lawyer and work things out.”
Attorney Bill Sheppard was a student at the University of Florida Law School at the same time Bowden was and the two developed a bond there that would continue into their professional lives.
“You could always believe him, you always trust him and you could always count on him,” said Sheppard, referring to Bowden’s time in the State Attorney’s office. “That is something you couldn’t say of a lot of the people who worked in that office.”
Bowden was given time at the end of the ceremony for rebuttal, but, instead, chose to praise those gathered to praise him.
“Judge Soud taught me the business of being a judge,” said Bowden. “I will always cherish his friendship.”
Bowden also pointed out three necessities for a good life.
“A good momma a good dog and a good fishing buddy,” he said.
Plans for the future include more hiking along the Appalachian Trail with his wife Vanessa. He isn’t so sure he is done with his legal career. He is interested in arbitration and being a senior judge.
“I am proud to have been a Constitutional officer of the state of Florida,” said Bowden. “It’s been a wonderful career.”
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