‘A heartbreaking loss.’ Retired Centre County Judge David Grine dies at 81
David E. Grine, who spent decades serving Centre County as a police officer, district attorney and judge, died Thursday at 81.
Grine served as a State College police officer and Centre County district attorney before beginning a 30-year career on the county bench. Colleagues remembered him Friday for his down-to-earth demeanor and willingness to help others.
“Judge David Grine had a gentle spirit and earned respect through his steady presence and thoughtful character,” his obituary read. “He was unpretentious with a quiet dignity and observant nature. He has left an enduring legacy of kindness and wisdom. He will be incredibly missed.”
Grine, of Bellefonte, is survived by his wife of 55 years, Karen, his children, Kristen and Jonathan. His daughter is a doctor at Penn State Health and his son followed in his footsteps and now serves as Centre County’s president judge. He had four grandchildren.
Former Centre County Court Administrator Maxine Ishler, who worked closely with Grine for more than three decades, said he was “such a good man” with a calm disposition. He made himself available to anyone who needed his help — or asked for Ishler’s if he couldn’t get the photocopy machine to work at night.
“We were a good team and this was a heartbreaking loss for all of those that knew him and worked with him for so long,” Ishler said.
After graduating from State College Area High School, Grine served in the U.S. Army. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Penn State and went on to graduate from Penn State Dickinson Law.
He served as the county’s top prosecutor from 1978 to 1981. Grine then began a 30-year career on the Centre County bench, which included four years as president judge. He retired in 2012, but continued hearing cases as a senior judge until 2021.
Longtime attorney Stephanie Cooper told the Centre Daily Times that Grine was patient and willing to help mentor younger lawyers.
“He was very helpful,” Cooper said. “He didn’t have to be, but he was. He was very easy to talk to.”
Retired Centre County President Judge Pamela Ruest, who appeared before Grine as an attorney and later became his colleague, described him as a smart judge who treated everyone with dignity.
She won a spot on the bench after defeating his son in an election, but she said she carried no concerns about personal fallout because of the elder Grine’s disposition.
“He didn’t give me horrible assignments or anything — that’s not how we worked anyway because we all got different cases — but I think he probably could have done some things,” Ruest said. “He would never do something like that. I was never worried about that.”
She now works as a senior judge, a position that serves the court system on a part-time, statewide basis. During her travels, she said every county she visits asks for and speaks highly of Grine.
“I was honored to have appeared before him and then later to be able to call him a colleague and a friend,” Ruest said.
Grine was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Bellefonte. He enjoyed traveling, golfing and going out to eat on Thursdays with his friends called “The Wing Group.”
Centre County Deputy Court Administrator Jayme Thompson told the CDT she counts Grine as one of her mentors. She described him as the “definition of integrity, generosity, and compassion.”
“I’m so blessed to have worked (with) Judge David Grine and being able to know him outside of work,” Thompson said in a text message. “I will truly miss him!”
In his final retention vote in 2011, 86% of Centre County voters said he deserved another 10-year term. It proved to be the final of his long career serving Centre County.
On Friday, the black bunting was draped across the front of the Centre County Courthouse to honor the longtime judge with the flag in front at half-mast in a symbol of mourning.
“I had the utmost respect for Judge David Grine. He was authentic and had an incredibly kind disposition. He didn’t need a loud ego to make his presence known,” Centre County Court Administrator Kendra Miknis told the CDT. “... I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to have known him. His passing will leave a noticeable void. But his character will no doubt shape his lasting legacy.”
