SPRINGFIELD — A retired appellate court justice has been reappointed to a post on the Fourth District Appellate Court in Springfield.

Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman has asked Robert Cook, 67, of Quincy, to come back to the appeals court in Springfield to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Sue Myerscough to the federal bench.

Myerscough, 51, of Springfield, has been on the appellate court since 1998. She was recently confirmed by the U.S. Senate to a position as a judge for the Central District of Illinois.

“It was a complete surprise,” Cook said of Garman’s request. “Justice Garman called me a couple weeks ago and asked me if I was willing to do it and I said I was. I think it’s a real compliment.”

Cook retired in 2008 after serving on the appellate court since his appointment in 1991. Prior to that he was a circuit judge in Adams County from 1983 to 1991. He was elected to the appellate court in 1994.

The Fourth District Appellate Court hears appeals from trial courts in 30 counties in the  mid-section of Illinois.

Cook said he will start his interim duties on April 1 and will fill the post until December 2012 when it will be filled by election.