However in late May 1904, Judge David H. Budlong who served as Registrar of the Land office in Coeur d'Alene, was forced to resign due to ill health and Dunn replaced him shortly afterwards.
[9][10] Following the reorganization of the Idaho Judicial Districts, Dunn ran again for the Judge in the new Eight comprising Kootenai and Bonner Counties and defeated Democrat John M. Flynn.
Robert N. Dunn died at his home in Boise, Idaho, at the age of 66 following a long illness related to the complications from Carcinoma of stomach, liver, kidney and prostate.
[1] Following his death, Idaho Governor Charles C. Moore paid tribute to Dunn, ordered flags to be at half-mast all over the state and described him as an able jurist and citizen of sterling qualities.
His older son Charles A. Dunn attended the United States Naval Academy and reached the rank of Rear admiral in the Navy during World War II.