He left the judiciary in 1981 to become supreme advocate (general counsel) of the Knights of Columbus, a title he held until his death.

He served one full term and was re-elected in 1972, but left office in January 1974 after being elected County Judge.

In the April 1978 general election, he defeated Brown County Judge James W. Byers.

[1] In 1985, he was appointed a knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II.

As a representative of the Knights of Columbus, he was active in the affairs of the National Fraternal Congress of America, and was elected its president in 1990.