Spending 40 years on one job in this era is most unusual.

Spending 40 years as a sitting judge in the same district is truly remarkable.

Given the changes made in society during that time, and seeing those changes parade through one’s courtroom in the form of defendants and the charges brought against them, must have been a history lesson in and of itself.

Judge Robert B. Edwards witnessed that history lesson as chief judge of the 5th Judicial District until his retirement Dec. 31.

Having turned 70 last year, he was required under state law to retire. He will continue to serve in the area as a substitute judge until his replacement is named by the General Assembly. Then, he will continue as a substitute, for the 5th District and those that surround it, serving at the request of each district’s chief judge.

In short, he’s being forced to retire but allowed to continue his work, if he so chooses.

We won’t weigh in on decisions. Others have already done that. We only need to say thanks, 40 times over.