Until a few years ago, Washington County Senior Judge Thomas J. Terputac typed out his own opinions and rulings.

It was an unheard-of practice, but part of the simple style the 79-year-old judge promoted and for which he now is being rewarded.

The Pennsylvania Bar Association Plain English Committee honored Judge Terputac with its annual Clarity Award for his commitment to promoting the use of clear writing by professionals in the legal field. The award was presented during the association's annual meeting June 8 in Hershey.

	Robert J. Pavuchak, Post-Gazette Judge Thomas Terputac, 79, and still working as a senior judge, at the Washington County Courthouse. Click photo for larger image.

The PBA Plain English Committee created the Clarity Award to recognize "those who have done the most to foster plain English in the legal field," according to a statement from the organization.

In his nomination, lawyer Charles C. Keller said Judge Terputac was "a pioneer in encouraging the use of plain English in legal writing."

In 1988, Judge Terputac published "A Handbook of English Usage -- A Guide for the Bench and Bar."

According to Mr. Keller, "His book catalogs some amazing examples of complex usage and style. Written in handbook format, it is an easy-to-use reference for correct usage of even the most difficult words and phrases."

The book was described as "a courageous effort to awaken us from our grammatical complacency," and "a must. It should be on the desk of every attorney," by lawyers who were quoted in the book's foreword.

Judge Terputac began writing in 1954, when he worked as law clerk, and continued when he was elected judge in 1978. His book stresses English use and syntax, he said.

"My book was designed to focus on style and usage," he said.

Credited for dedicating most of his life to the county judicial system, Judge Terputac is being celebrated by colleagues and friends as the final few months of his 28-year tenure as a jurist come to a close.

Judge Terputac retired nine years ago when he turned 70, but was approved by the state Supreme Court to continue as a part-time senior judge until he reached 80, which will be in January.

"I like the extra work," he said. "I enjoyed the law."

An avid reader and student of history and the law, Judge Terputac has authored a number of articles for newspapers and journals, including an article about the history of impeachment written during the Clinton administration.

A Democrat from South Strabane, Judge Terputac grew up in the village of Muse in Cecil and served in the Army infantry in World War II after high school. He was stationed in France and Germany during the war.

He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in education from Duquesne University and a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

He married his wife, Carol, a registered nurse, in 1949, and the couple raised four children and have four grandchildren.

His most difficult case came about 20 years ago, when he ruled that eight neglected children from one family should be removed from their parents' home.

They were undernourished and undersized, Judge Terputac said, adding that he was still haunted by the memory of the children, who ranged in age from 4 to 14.

"I don't know where they are," he said. "But I hope they're doing well."

Friends and colleagues, such as Mr. Keller, have described the judge as honest, skilled, and hard working.

"He was a hard worker and a good lawyer," said Mr. Keller, a founding partner in the law firm of Peacock, Keller & Ecker in Washington and past president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. "He brought to the bench so many of the qualities you like to see in a judge. I always found him to be a reasonable judge."

Mr. Keller said he nominated Judge Terputac because he deserved the Clarity Award.

"I'm always on the lookout for people who excel at anything," he said.

Judge Terputac's co-workers agree.

"I think very highly of Tom and his family," fellow Senior Judge John F. Bell said. "He's very meticulous, very, very conscientious and a real legal scholar. He's a very fine judge."

Judge Bell said he'd known Judge Terputac for 40 years, since the two shared office space with several other lawyers. He served on Judge Terputac's campaign committee, and the two belong to the same church.

"He's lived his life above reproach," Judge Bell said. "There are not too many Tom Terputacs around. He's a dying breed."