Longtime Iowa federal judge dies at 78 after more than 26 years on the bench

The Iowa State Bar Association said he retired in 2023, having presided over cases including a sentencing decision that was later upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in Gall v. United States.

An obituary for Pratt, who was born May 3, 1947, described him as a man who "championed the underdog and the uncelebrated" throughout his career in public service. 

"It's not surprising that a criminal like Trump pardons other criminals," he said. "But apparently to get a pardon, one has to be either a Republican, a convicted child murderer or a turkey."

In an April 16, 2021, letter to Smith, Pratt apologized for the remarks and said he accepted the conclusion they could be construed as "inappropriate partisan statements."

"I acknowledge the wrongfulness of the comments, and I regret the embarrassment they have caused to my court and the judiciary in general. I am truly sorry for the remarks and apologize for having made them," Pratt wrote. "I also want to reaffirm my commitment to the impartial administration of justice in full compliance with the Code of Conduct for United States Judges."

He is survived by his wife, Rose Mary, three children, a stepdaughter and seven grandchildren.