Former Alaska Chief Justice Craig F. Stowers died at age 67 on Feb. 10, 2022. He had retired from the Alaska Supreme Court in 2020.
A conservative jurist not swayed by the politics of the day, Stowers was appointed to the court by former Gov. Sean Parnell in 2009 to replace Justice Robert Estaugh. He became the state’s 18th Chief Justice.
Stowers was born in Daytona Beach, Fla., was educated on the East Coast, and first arrived in Alaska in 1977 as a National Park Service ranger at then-McKinley National Park, now Denali National Park and Preserve. He earned his law degree from University of California Davis School of Law, and returned to Alaska, where he co-founded the law firm Clapp Peterson and Stowers. Former Gov. Frank Murkowski appointed Stowers in 2004 as a judge in the Third Judicial District in Anchorage.
In 2009, then-Gov. Sean Parnell appointed Stowers to the Alaska Supreme Court, where he served until announcing his retirement in January, 2020, to be effective June 1.
Stowers had in the past served as president of the board of Christian Health Associates, was on the boards of the Alaska Natural History Association (Alaska Geographic), Brother Francis Shelter, and Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center. He was married to Monique Stowers; the two were known for their charitable giving to many causes, among them the Food Bank of Alaska.
“I was saddened to learn of Justice Stowers’ passing. As Alaskans, we are grateful for his service to Alaska’s people in the judiciary and we offer our condolences to Justice Stowers’ family, friends, and colleagues,” said former Gov. Parnell.
I served on the Alaska Judicial Council with Judge Stowers. His respect for all people was well-known. He expressed his love for Monique with great joy. Our in-depth conversations about the grace of Christ in our lives was extremely meaningful to me.
Although I didn’t know Justice Stowers personally I always admired him. He was a fine man, a great jurist and we are the poorer for his passing. God bless you sir!
Justice Stowers checked his personal politics at the door, before he donned his black robe. He interpreted the law according to the guidance of his common sense and legal wherewithall, NOT by political whims or how others would view his leanings and proclivities. A true originalist and legal scholar. Probably the best, and wisest, jurist in Alaska’s history. He will be missed for his straight forwardness and intelligence. RIP, sir!
One of the few who actually made it to the high court with a judicial philosophy not in line with the liberal Bar Association. Blessings to his family.
A great man and great friend. Alaska has lost one its finest!
Very sad to hear of his passing. He was the kind of judge who made decisions based on the law, not politics. His kind is badly needed in the legal world today.
He was a Murkowski Republican.
You didn’t know Justice Stowers.
Would like some more details, Bob. Did he make any rulings regarding Lisa’s election shenanigans? Also, did he vote to make the PFD the personal slush fund for the legislature? So many things left out of this article, hopefully some commenters can fill in the details for Suzanne.
One of the greats. A true impartial conservative. Why don’t we get any more judges like him these days?
I am sad to hear of the untimely passing of Justice Stowers. He was a great and good man. May God welcome him home and comfort his family.
“One of the longest-service justices in Alaska history, only Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Daniel Winfree, appointed by then-Gov. Sarah Palin in 2008, has served longer than Stowers.”. This claim also appeared in stories elsewhere. It obviously meant that they were the longest-serving justices currently in office at some particular point in recent history. I’m sure the supporters of Jay Rabinowitz and Warren Matthews would take exception to any claims of them being the longest-serving justices in Alaska history.
Really sad to see the passing of this great Alaskan jurist. To say he will be missed is an understatement. Alaska needs more like him. Age 67 is way too young to lose someone like him. Rest in Peace, Sir. You were an inspiration to so many.
Principled jurist. The opinion he authored for a unanimous Alaska Supreme Court in Forrer v. State of Alaska and Lucinda Mahoney was an example of principled, conservative decision-making. In that case, Stowers and the court determined the scheme passed by the legislature to borrow a billion dollars in order to pay off oil & gas exploration tax credits that were issued by the state was “unconstitutional in its entirety.” The cash for credits scheme was advanced by then Governor Frank H. Murkowski. Bill Walker then tried to borrow money to pay off the previously issued credits, a scheme that didn’t make any sense from a financial or political perspective. Stowers and the Alaska Supreme Court nixed this borrowing boondoggle.
My heart is heavy to hear of his passing. We are a vapor in life compared to the time of humanity and eternity. Justice Stowers was a cumulonimbus cloud vapor who had a powerful influence and inspiration on many.
Judge Stowers was a good Alaska Supreme Court judge. Sad that he died so young. BTW, Illinois is not “on the East Coast.”
Rest in Peace Judge Stowers!
Thank You for my divorce! You were honest and good!
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