Judge Woodhouse dies suddenly

SAN JOSE » Judge Derek Woodhouse has died, a spokesman for Santa Clara County Superior Court confirmed Thursday.

Woo d hou s e , 69, passed away suddenly on Wednesday night, court spokesman Ben Rada said.

Woodhouse had struggled with poor health, including losing his hearing while taking medication for another problem, said fel low Judge Socrates Peter Manoukian.

“He was a good man who worked real hard, not withstanding medical issues,” Manoukian said. “He always man- aged to keep in good humor.”

Born in Canada , Woodhouse emigrated to the United States, eventually joining the US Army and doing two tours in Vietnam.

He began his legal career as a prosecutor in 1979 with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office before working as a civil attorney.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed him to the bench in 2005.

Presiding Judge Patricia M. Lucas informed court staf f Thursday morning of his death. No information was immediately available about funeral services.