Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Nix Jr. retires

"I think I was able to instill in the public some confidence as to the integrity of the system," Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert N.C. Nix Jr. said upon retiring from the bench after a 24-year stint on the state's highest court.

Nix, the first Black to head the court, completed his last days in office without fanfare. "I think that's the appropriate way, rather than marching bands down the street," he told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "Hard work has been my forte all along and I saw no reason at this stage to change."

Nix, the namesake son of the first Black congressman from Philadelphia and grandson of the former academic dean of South Carolina State College, became an associate justice on the court in 1972 and was elected chief justice in 1984.

At age 68 Nix had two years before a mandatory retirement age of 70 would take effect. Justice John Flaherty will replace him.

"Constituents need to understand that they will be treated fairly and equally," Nix said. "That is the most important message that I wanted to convey. I have no regrets. I have done exactly what I intended to do."