Former Presiding Justice of San Diego Appellate Court Dies at 88

Daniel Kremer, a highly respected jurist, spent 20 years on the bench before retiring in 2003.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Daniel Kremer, a former presiding justice of the state appellate court's San Diego branch and former member of the state Judicial Council, has died at the age of 88. Kremer, who overcame polio as a young teen, spent the last 18 years of his career on the 4th District Court of Appeal, Division 1, before retiring in 2003. He was known for his excellence, integrity, and dedication to the rule of law.

Why it matters

Kremer's passing marks the end of an era for the San Diego legal community, as he was a highly respected and influential figure who helped shape the state's judicial system over his decades-long career. His commitment to public service and the rule of law made a lasting impact.

The details

Kremer's career took him from the state Attorney General's Office to the San Diego Superior Court bench, and then to the 4th District Court of Appeal, where he spent the last 18 years of his career before retiring in 2003. He was honored as Jurist of the Year by the state Judicial Council in 2002, the highest honor the body bestows. Kremer also served on the Judicial Council, chairing several important committees.

  • Kremer was born on November 21, 1937 in Olympia, Washington.
  • He was struck with polio at the age of 13, which permanently weakened his lower left leg.
  • Kremer earned his undergraduate degree from Stanford University in 1960 and his law degree from Stanford in 1963.
  • He joined the Attorney General's Office in Sacramento in 1963, where he handled criminal trials and appeals, including death penalty cases before the California Supreme Court.
  • Kremer was appointed to the San Diego Municipal Court by Governor George Deukmejian in 1983, and was elevated to the 4th District Court of Appeal, Division 1 as presiding justice in 1985, a position he held until his retirement in 2003 at the age of 65.

The players

Daniel Kremer

A former presiding justice of the state appellate court's San Diego branch and former member of the state Judicial Council, who spent 20 years on the bench before retiring in 2003.

Jeffrey Miller

A U.S. District Judge who met Kremer in the 1970s when both worked in the state Attorney General's Office in San Diego.

Gary Schons

A former deputy attorney general who Kremer hired in the 1970s, and who later led the attorney general's criminal division in the San Diego office.

John Van de Kamp

The California Attorney General whom Kremer served as chief assistant, heading the criminal division statewide while remaining based in San Diego.

George Deukmejian

The Governor of California who appointed Kremer to the San Diego Municipal Court in 1983 and elevated him to the 4th District Court of Appeal in 1985.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When I think of Dan, I think of excellence.”

— Jeffrey Miller, U.S. District Judge (San Diego Union-Tribune)

“Dan was the consummate public servant, public lawyer and judicial officer.”

— Gary Schons, Former Deputy Attorney General (San Diego Union-Tribune)

“He accomplished incredible things without ever seeking any spotlight or attaching any self-aggrandizement.”

— Aaron Kremer, Son of Daniel Kremer (San Diego Union-Tribune)

What’s next

Services for Daniel Kremer will be held on April 24 at St. James Catholic Church in Solana Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival or KPBS.

The takeaway

Daniel Kremer's legacy as a respected and influential jurist who dedicated his career to public service and the rule of law will continue to inspire the San Diego legal community. His commitment to excellence, integrity, and civility set a high bar for those who follow in his footsteps.