From Studious Boy to Man of Power

Harry Pregerson’s humble nature belies the power of his position.

As one of 28 judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Pregerson can order a stay of execution for a death-row inmate or try federal cases on appeal from district courts and reverse their decisions.

Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Pregerson and his childhood friend, Seymour Rosen, raised ducks and pigeons at their homes in City Terrace. While other children played and were involved in sports, Rosen said Pregerson’s father insisted he spend extra hours studying.

Pregerson’s studies began a lifelong pursuit of achievement. He served as student body president at Roosevelt High School and UCLA.

In 1944, his studies were interrupted while he served in the military during World War II. As a Marine first lieutenant he was wounded in both thighs on May 3, 1945, in the battle of Okinawa. His injuries earned him the Purple Heart. After his military service, Pregerson returned to UCLA to complete a bachelor’s degree and then attended UC Berkeley, where he earned a law degree in 1950.

Pregerson practiced law for 12 years in Van Nuys before his appointment to the bench, first as a municipal judge in 1965 and the next year as a Superior Court judge.

In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson appointed him to the U.S. District Court in the Central District of California. President Jimmy Carter elevated him to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in 1979.

Throughout his career, Pregerson has been an advocate for children and the homeless. He worked with now-retired U.S. Rep. Edward R. Roybal and Edwin W. Thomas, administrator of the federal General Services Administration for the Western Region, to establish the Salvation Army Bell Shelter, three child-care centers and other food and shelter facilities in Los Angeles. He has also been active for nearly three decades in the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots Program.

Pregerson, 73, and his wife, Bern, his high school sweetheart and now a microbiology instructor at Pierce College, are longtime Woodland Hills residents. They plan to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this month with their family, which includes two children and four grandchildren.