(KAIR)--Following two decades on the bench, a local judge is stepping down.
According to a news release from the Kansas Judicial Center, District Judge Gunnar Sundby will retire June 16, bringing to an end 20-years of service in the 1st Judicial District.
The 1st Judicial District is comprised of Atchison and Leavenworth Counties.
Sundby, upon his retirement becoming effective, plans to begin serving as a senior judge for the judicial branch.
The Kansas Supreme Court appointed Sundby to that position effective June 17.
Sundby, in the release, said his new role as senior judge will allow him to remain close to his colleagues, travel the state as needed, and still serve as a judge.
As a senior judge, he can be assigned to cases being heard in any district court, as well as the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.
Sundby said the part-time work as a senior judge will allow him and his wife, Debbie, to travel and spend more time with family, which includes four grandchildren.
A graduate of Washburn University, Sundby, of Atchison, served as Atchison County Attorney from 1980 until 1992, and was appointed in 1998 as a district judge for Leavenworth County.
For the first nine years in that role, Sundby was focused on domestic and probate cases, but in recent years, has been assigned to the criminal and prisoner dockets, dealing with thousands of criminal cases, seeing prisoners from across the state of Kansas, and presiding over about 200 jury trials.
© Many Signals Communicatons
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Effingham woman killed Friday in Atchison wreck
One hospitalized, one jailed, after Atchison attack
Atchison man involved in fatal NW MO crash
One injured in Nemaha Co wreck
Rural Horton man arrested on multiple drug charges
Street lights to be discussed at Monday city meeting
Services set for Effingham woman killed in crash
Meteorologist Spencer: Geometric Watch means electronic disruptions
Two file to challenge local legislator
USD 430 Board accepts resignations, approves new hires
U.S. 36 work in Doniphan Co to impact motorists
Truck fire at CGB facility in Falls City
Flags to fly half staff Wednesday across KS
BC's Pate remembered by students, college family
Results from SE Nebraska contested Primary Elections
Fatal Atchison apt fire investigation continues
Commission holds work session on street lights
LATEST STORIES
Barricaded fugitive arrested in Jackson County
Wed signing means full funding for KS education
MHMA Mock Trial Team sees natl success
Fatal Atchison apt fire investigation continues
Commission holds work session on street lights
Results from SE Nebraska contested Primary Elections
U.S. 36 work in Doniphan Co to impact motorists
Senator Ricketts staff to visit Falls City and Auburn