Schuylkill County Common Pleas Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin believes he is doing the right thing by not running for re-election.

“I just think it is more gracious and graceful to leave at the end of the year,” Dolbin, 73, said.

The Pottsville resident is near the mandatory retirement age of 75. Upon completion of this 10-year term, he will have served three 10-year terms, having been appointed by former Gov. Robert P. Casey Sr.

“I’ve loved every minute of it. It’s been a wonderful, wonderful professional life,” he said.

A 1965 graduate of Pottsville Area School District, 1969 Dickinson College and 1973 Villanova Law School, Dolbin isn’t going to leave the profession entirely, with aims of being a senior judge. The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts selects senior judges to preside over cases when needed.

Dolbin said becoming a judge was a natural progression in his career. His family has a long history of judicial service. His father, Donald Dolbin, and grandfather, Cyrus Palmer, were both judges. Dolbin succeeded his father to the bench when he retired.

Being a judge gives you a chance to do “good things in the law. It’s just very interesting. I just think it is a marvelous, marvelous job,” he said.

Dolbin said he tries to relate to those who come into his courtroom for proceedings.

“Always keep the common touch and be humble,” he said.

When he retires, he plans to spend more time with family, learning more languages, take history courses and care for his backyard garden.

“You’ve got to keep busy,” he said.