Background
Putnam, Richard Johnson was born on September 27, 1913 in Abbeville, Louisiana, United States. Son of Robert Emmett and Mathilde (Young) Putnam.
Putnam, Richard Johnson was born on September 27, 1913 in Abbeville, Louisiana, United States. Son of Robert Emmett and Mathilde (Young) Putnam.
Bachelor of Science cum laude, Springhill College, Mobile, 1934. Bachelor of Laws, Loyola University, New Orleans, 1937.
Born in Abbeville, Louisiana, Putnam received a Bachelor of Surgery from Spring Hill College in 1934 and an Bachelor of Laws from Loyola University New Orleans School of Law in 1937. He was in private practice in Abbeville, Louisiana from 1937 to 1954. He was a United States. Naval Reserve Lieutenant during World World War II, from 1942 to 1945.
He was a District attorney of Fifteenth Judicial Circuit of Louisiana from 1948 to 1954.
He was a judge on the Fifteenth Judicial District of Louisiana from 1954 to 1961. He was a judge on the Louisiana Court of Appeal, First Circuit from 1960 to 1961.
Putnam was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Putnam was nominated by President John F. Kennedy on September 5, 1961, to a new seat created by 75 Statistics
80. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 14, 1961, and received his commission on September 18, 1961.
He assumed senior status on December 19, 1975. Putnam served in that capacity until his death, in Abbeville, Louisiana.
Served from ensign to lieutenant United States Naval Reserve, 1942-1945. Member District Judges Association, American Bar Association, Louisiana Bar Association, Fifth Circuit District Judges Association, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, St. Thomas Moore Society (Service award 1937), Delta Theta Phi. Lodges: Knights of Columbus.
Married Dorethea Gooch, January 27, 1940. Children: Richard Johnson, Claude Robert, Mary Stacy, Cynthia Anne.