Nygaard, Richard Lowell Born 1940 in Thief River Falls, MN Federal Judicial Service: Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Nominated by Ronald Reagan on May 25, 1988, to a seat vacated by Joseph Francis Weis, Jr.. Confirmed by the Senate on October 14, 1988, and received commission on October 17, 1988. Assumed senior status on July 9, 2005. Education: University of Southern California, B.S., 1969 University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1971 Professional Career: U.S. Naval Reserve, 1958-1964 Private practice, North East, Pennsylvania, 1972-1980 Judge, Court of Common Pleas of Erie County [Pennsylvania], 1981-1988