2020-2021-Memorials-Booklet.Pdf
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MEMORIALS Friday, May 7, 2021 Virtual Session of Ramsey County District Court Two o’clock “The song is ended but the melody lingers on.” - Irving Berlin In Memory Of Hon. Russell A. Anderson ............................................................... 2 Peter Homes Berge ........................................................................... 3 Jerome Dominic Ciresi ..................................................................... 4 Charles Martell Cochrane .............................................................. 6 Willard L. Converse ........................................................................... 8 Michael Fiske Driscoll ................................................................... 10 Arden J. Fritz ......................................................................................... 12 Hon. Daniel Gallagher .................................................................... 14 Lory Hartenberger ............................................................................ 15 Hon. Doris Ohlsen Huspeni ........................................................ 16 Hon. Alexander MacDonald Keith ......................................... 18 John R. Kenefick ................................................................................ 20 Craig Lindeke ...................................................................................... 21 Mary Brigid McDonough ............................................................. 22 Hon. John C. McNulty .................................................................... 23 Robert W. Murnane ......................................................................... 24 David Anthony O’Connor ............................................................. 26 Alberto Quintela, Jr. ........................................................................ 28 Lawrence Michael Rocheford .................................................. 29 Michael John Sheahan .................................................................. 30 Robert T. White .................................................................................. 32 Gary Robert Wolf .............................................................................. 33 Honorable Russell A. Anderson May 28, 1942 — September 15, 2020 The Minnesota justice system lost one of our champions with the passing of Russell Anderson. Russ served in the justice system his entire career, as an attorney, judge, justice, and chief justice. And the system is all the better for it. Russ’s journey began in Bemidji, and he spoke often about his growing-up years, and the life lessons and work ethic he got from his father and mother and his extended family. Russ was a newspaper boy, hired hand on his uncle’s farm, and gas-station attendant at his dad’s station. He went on to St. Olaf College, where he majored in history and economics and was student body president. Most importantly, he met the love of his life, Kristin, at St. Olaf and their union on earth lasted more than 53 years. Russ was a devoted husband and proud father of three children. After St. Olaf, it was on to law school at the University of Minnesota. Then Russ served his country in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps, including working as a JAG officer in Japan, which he termed, “the adventure of my life.” Later, his JAG service took Russ to Washington, D.C., where he received a master’s degree in international law. But then in 1976, Russ came home to Bemidji and entered private practice until he became Beltrami County Attorney, a position he held until his appointment to the district court bench. During his 16 years of service on the district court bench in the Ninth Judicial District, Russ developed a reputation as a fair and compassionate judge. He was a leader in the Ninth District, serving as chief judge and on the statewide conference of chief judges. In 1998, Governor Arne Carlson appointed Russ to the Minnesota Supreme Court. And then in 2006, Governor Tim Pawlenty appointed Russ to be Minnesota’s chief justice, the position he held until his retirement in June 2008. During his time on the Supreme Court, Russ authored 176 opin- ions on a vast array of topics. He fought fiercely for the independence of the judiciary, cautioning that, “We must not let the heavy hand of politics come to rest on the scales of justice.” From newspaper boy in Bemidji to the chief justice of Minnesota—what a remarkable journey. Throughout his career, Russ garnered the respect of all he encountered. His work ethic was legendary and his story-telling hilarious. Russ Anderson lived a life of humility, and he was, for certain, the least self-important really important person any of us has ever known. It was never about Russ Anderson. It was always and only about the people in the cases he was called to decide, as he would often say, “One human circumstance at a time.” As Governor Pawlenty said about Russ in his letter accepting Russ’s retirement, “You exemplify the very best in public servants.” Thank you, Russ, we are eternally in your debt. Respectfully submitted by Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea 2 Peter Holmes Berge June 17, 1956 — February 25, 2020 Peter Holmes Berge, 63, of St. Paul, passed away on February 25, 2020 at home, ending a three- year battle with brain cancer. After a San Diego upbringing, St. Olaf College, and study at William Mitchell College of Law (J.D., 1983), he was a judicial clerk at the Minnesota Court of Appeals and Minnesota Supreme Court. From 1985-1989, he practiced law at Schwebel, Goetz, and Sieben, leaving Minneapolis to study and teach at Temple University School of Law (LL.M.,1992). Teaching at Georgetown Law Center followed, then visiting professorship at William Mitchell. In 1994, Peter returned to legal practice at Tewksbury, Kerfeld, Zimmer. As vice president of risk management at Minnesota Lawyers Mutual (1999-2002), he developed training and publications to lessen infractions and liability. After, he was an attorney at Pritzker & Associates (2002-2004) and Altera Law Group (2004-2008), earning “Super Lawyer” designations in 2004 and 2005. But love of teaching led him to become web education director for Minnesota CLE in 2005, building that program from the ground up and leading it until January 2017. During active practice, Peter primarily represented injured plaintiffs, including numerous appeals, and co-authored The Practitioner’s Guide to the Minnesota No-Fault Act (3rd Edition, 1988). In ad- dition, he represented lawyers in cases of ethics and personal responsibility, and expanded in other areas (intellectual property, commercial, corporate, arts/entertainment, copyright/trademark). With Minnesota, Hennepin County, and Ramsey County Bar Association memberships, he served as member and chair of multiple state-level committees, and on Minnesota Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board–Fourth District Ethics Committee and Mitchell Hamline’s Alumni Board. The Association for Continuing Legal Education (ACLEA) benefited from his many contributions as a member, including frequent speaking and executive Committee service, where he was president-elect before his illness led to stepping down. Too, during and after studies at the University of Minnesota (MBA, 2016), he presented “business school for CLE” conference sessions, parallel to his often-taught technology classes for ACLEA boot camps. People knew Peter for his intelligence, humor, hard work, and hospitality. His skills and knowl- edge cut a wide swath: from consulting, writing, and analysis to computer and political savvy to delicious cooking and grilling. Music was a passion for Peter, as a listener, concertgoer, and performer—particularly the guitar, which he owned many of and played expertly, solo and with others. He also took joy in his dogs, sports (e.g., running, soccer, and biking), travel, photography, art, architecture, fine food and wine, friends, family, and his beloved wife, Debbie Sit, who passed in 2015. Peter is survived by brothers Mark and Eric (Tammy, with children Kevin, Laura, and Katherine), extended family, and a host of friends. Despite his aggressive form of cancer, he lived almost twice as long as his initial prognosis—a testament to his strength, excellent medical professionals, and a significant circle of caring individuals around him. Admired and treasured, Peter was as his Caring- Bridge comments described him: “a positive light in so many people’s lives;” “such an inspiration;” “a wonderful person and well respected;” “beloved by many;” “a truly amazing, brilliant, talented man;” and “one of the real good guys in our industry.” Respectfully submitted by Mark Berge 3 Jerome Dominic Ciresi August 5, 1938 — November 22, 2020 Jerome Dominic Ciresi was born in 1938 during the country’s build up for WWII, a time of sacrifice. He was the son of an Italian immigrant with a 7th grade education. Jerry spent his youth splitting time between his schoolwork at St. Andrew’s elementary and working at his father’s fruit stand in St. Paul. He later graduated from St. Thomas Military Academy, St. Paul Seminary, and William Mitchell Law School. Jerry lost his mother to a painful 4-year journey with breast cancer when he was just 20 years old. Watching his father’s struggles and sacrifices raising Jerry’s two younger siblings taught him the valuable life lesson that life can be difficult, unfair and uncompromising at times. But he learned to move forward. Jerry was happily married to the love of his life, Barb, for over 54 years and they raised three boys together.