A well known federal judge who gained national attention for his role in the Summer of Mercy Abortion protests in Wichita has died.

Judge Patrick Kelly died last Friday at age 78. A private funeral was held on Monday.

Judge Kelly began his career on the federal bench in 1980. He presided on a number of important cases before his retirement in 1996.

But none was more high profile then his involvement in the 1991 anti abortion protests in Wichita. Hundreds of protesters from all over the country descended on Wichita to protest and in some cases, block the entrances to clinics.

At first police stood by and watched. After a few days, Wichita police made some arrests in the hope that things would wind down. But when it became clear the protests were going to continue, Judge Kelly stepped in and ordered federal marshals to the clinics to arrest protesters.

Kelly made it clear on the nationally televised ABC program Nightline that he would not let his religious beliefs color his judicial decisions.

Judge Kelly grew up in Wichita, attended East High School and Wichita State and Washburn Universities. He served in the military in Korea and made an unsuccessful bid for congress.