Friday, Dec. 13, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
Jim Denton, a longtime friend, said Handelsman suffered a heart attack at his home around 10 p.m. Thursday. Paramedics were called but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
He was pronounced dead after being taken to Washoe Medical Center.
Handelsman was 49.
Appointed as a Reno Municipal Court judge in 1985, Handelsman remained in that post until elected to the district court in 1990. He was re-elected to another six-year term in November by defeating challenger Ron Gunning.
"I had lunch with Mark yesterday," Denton said early today. "We were planning a trip right after Christmas. He was absolutely fine."
Handelsman also attended a farewell party at Harrah's Thursday night for outgoing Judge Jim Stone.
Denton said after arriving home, Handelsman complained to his girlfriend of not feeling well and then collapsed.
Sarah Johnson, a secretary in the district attorney's office, said Handelsman seemed to be in good health at the Stone gathering attended by about 140 people.
"I'm just as shocked and devastated as the next person," Ms. Johnson said. "He was a really nice man. He treated secretaries, support staff and attorneys alike. He treated everyone as human beings."
District Judge Brent Adams said Handelsman always conducted his court in a gentlemanly fashion.
"He was a very gracious, fair and able judge who brought a tone of civility and decency in all the proceedings he conducted," Adams said. "He was a patient listener, he was deadfastly fair and impartial."
District Attorney Dick Gammick called Handelsman a hard worker who was always learning.
"Mark was a competent judge," Gammick said. "He was open; always willing to talk about problems and ways to solve things."
Funeral arrangements were pending.
Handelsman is survived by his 16-year-old daughter, Hillary.
His son, Justin, 16, was killed during a 1992 parachuting accident in Stead.
Justin Handelsman had told instructors at a skydiving school that he was 22 so he could go through the six-hour training session.
He fell to his death when he cut away from his main parachute approximately 100 feet from the ground, police said.
Gov. Bob Miller was notified of Handelsman death today. Miller will appoint a replacement to the bench, who will serve until the 1998 general election.
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