Community mourns Judge Wittenberg
Berkley resident died Sunday after fighting glioblastoma, at 48
Many in legal and local communities are mourning the loss of Judge Jamie L. Wittenberg of Berkley, who served the past seven years in the Royal Oak 44th District Court.
Wittenberg, 48, died Sunday morning after fighting glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer, for more than three years.
Jurists from state Attorney General Dana Nessel to Royal Oak 44th Chief Judge Derek W. Meinecke remembered Wittenberg in statements Monday.
“Jamie was a true public servant and a dear friend,” Nessel said. “He was dedicated to the community and determined to use his position to help improve the lives of others.”
Despite his cancer diagnosis, Wittenberg remained committed to his work with the court.
Meinecke said Wittenberg survived three times longer than his initial diagnosis suggested.
“Amazingly, despite multiple brain surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy, he was able to continue to serve and handle his full docket,” Meinecke said.
Wittenberg often noted that he believed he was a better judge for having gone through his trials fighting cancer, Meinecke added, “because he gained an even greater perspective and found an even greater connection with those that appeared before him, who may have had hard times and challenges of their own.”
Wittenberg earlier served as an assistant prosecutor in Wayne and Macomb counties. In 2008 he was first elected to his judgeship in the former Berkley 45-A District Court.
Seven years later, state legislators merged the Berkley court with Royal Oak’s 44th District Court, serving both cities. Known as plain-spoken and compassionate, Wittenberg adapted quickly to the change.
“His positive impact was felt
immediately,” Meinecke said, “both in the way he endeared himself to staff and community members with his kindness and friendly nature, and in the way he spearheaded the expansion of our highly successful Sobriety Court program, and his introduction of a Teen Court that was aimed at supporting at-risk youth.”
Wittenberg is survived by his wife, Staci, and daughters Arielle, Talia, Brooke and Maya. He is also survived by his parents, Howard and Mollie Wittenberg, brother Robert Wittenberg, sister Jodie Heicklen, and many nieces, nephews.
Along with Wittenberg’s family and friends, Meinecke said, his coworkers at the 44th District Court are in mourning over their great loss
But by “having Judge Wittenberg in our lives,” Meinecke said, “we have been forever changed for the better, and will therefore be in a better position to deal with our tremendous grief. Judge Wittenberg was simply the best of us.”
A service for Wittenberg was set for 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, at the Dorfman Chapel funeral home, 30440 W. 12 Mile Road, in Farmington Hills. A live broadcast will be done at that time. More information is online at dorfmanchapel.com.