Robert H. Zalk1944-2009
Dispute Resolution Services pays tribute to Bob Zalk, who provided mediation, evaluation and CSM services through Dispute Resolution Services for several years prior to his final illness.
Bob graduated from Carleton College in 1966 and the University of Minnesota Law School in 1969. He practiced family law for many years prior to his “retirement.” Attorneys who had cases with Bob found him to be consistently pleasant, kind, honest, and a very worthy opponent.
In his practice, Bob frequently used various forms of alternative dispute resolution for his clients. Following his temporary retirement, Bob decided to become an ADR provider and honored DRS by choosing to work with our organization. Although his tenure was short, his knowledge of the law and his personal skills made him a premier provider.
Bob is greatly missed in our office and in the Family Law community. We offer our sympathy to his daughters, Amy and Jenna, and to his family, former associates, and many friends.
Bob was the best of adversaries. Warm and engaging Bob was always willing to share a laugh and most especially a shaggy dog story. My favorite moment was having dinner with Ann Lee and Bob at one of the AAML mid-year meetings – some tropical spot in which it rained the entire week we were there. Bob was really just introducing me to Ann Lee. Her face brightened when she heard my name – she laughed and said “I can always tell when Bob has been in court with you – he comes home madder than a wet hen”. The look on Bob’s face as he tried to kick her under the table was priceless. After her death Bob and I laughed about that moment many times.
ReplyDeleteBob suffered more than anyone should have to in the past few years – since her death. I know his family has circled round and given him all the comfort and love possible. We lawyers will all miss him.
Nancy Zalusky Berg
I did not have the pleasure of knowing or working with Bob before he joined DRS. In the short time that we worked together, I was impressed with Bob's calm and measured approach to problem solving, his expertise in the area of family law and his sincere interest in providing clients with only his best efforts. Bob was generous in so many ways, sharing his time and his knowledge. His positive approach to life despite his health challenges is a lesson to be learned--one of many Bob will leave with those fortunate enough to cross paths with him. My sympathies to Amy and Jenna for their loss and and to all who knew, loved and admired Bob.
ReplyDeleteGeri Napuck
I remember Bob from my first Divorce Camp experience - I attended an evening happy hour at one of the suites and I didn't see anyone right away that I knew. Bob greeted me warmly and we had a great time talking - at the end of the evening I felt like I had known him a long time. I was very happy to learn that he was joining the Dispute Resolution Services and would be in the same office suite I was in - the Collaborative Alliance. I had many more conversations with Bob and on more than one occasion, sought his advice. He was generous with his time and I respected both his legal knowledge and his ethical and moral positions. I will miss him very much.
ReplyDeleteLinda Ojala
I have known Bob for twenty-five years. I have had cases against him, I have presented CLEs with him, and I have used him as a mediator. He and I also went through FENE training together a couple of years ago.
ReplyDeleteBob was one of the most decent men I have ever known. Besides being an extremely knowledgeable and competent attorney,he also had a very dry sense of humor that would frequently totally crack me up, sometimes at inopportune moments. I will miss him terribly.
Sue Wilson
It was truly my pleasure to know Bob. He was not only an excellent attorney, but a genuinely kind person. I always enjoyed our discussions about Carleton and St. Olaf which were usually held when Bob was wearing one of his Norwegian sweaters. My deepest condolences to Bob's family and friends.
ReplyDeleteRod Jensen
I had the good fortune to serve as Bob's busines partner from 1995 to 1999 -- absolutely wonderful years! During those years, I recall that Bob frequently advised clients that they were prohibited from using the "F" word. While the client sat startled by such a remark and unable to respond, Bob interrupted the silence and said, "And that word is FAIR." He went on to explain that everyone has a different interpretation of the word "FAIR," particularly in a divorce setting. It was sage advice from an experienced counselor and delivered with great timing and a bit of humor! Oh, that Bob will be truly missed!
ReplyDeleteI met Bob later in life when we went through mediation training together with Chris Leick in 2006. He was always so soft-spoken, kind and gentle. I was pleasantly surprised as I had assumed he was one of those "tough guys", given his years and stature in the practice. Later, when we sat together at the bar on the last evening of Divorce Camp a couple of years ago, he was sitting with his back squished against those on the dance floor, many bumping into or brushing against him. I asked if he wanted me to move back so he could be farther away from the dancers. He grinned mischievously and said "it's not often I get people rubbing up against me...! thanks, I'll stay right here!" Funny, warm, smart, kind, a man of first class. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
ReplyDeleteI had the privilege of working with Bob many times as an expert witness. I always looked forward to getting involved in cases with him not just because he was a great guy, but also because of his dry sense of humor. In one particular case I saved the pages of the court transcript that had two of my favorite "Bobisms". First, the CSM asked him "What time do you want to be back to start fighting over household goods?" Bob's reply on the record was "A fight on household goods? I would like to come back in about two years." Second, when the parties were discussing tools to divide, Bob explained his lack of knowledge in that area by stating "I live with my tools, a screwdriver and hammer and a checkbook and the phone number of a handyman." He will be missed by all of us. Amy and Jenna, you had a remarkable man for a father. God bless.
ReplyDeleteTom Harjes
I met Bob when he was chair of the Comunity Relations Commitee of the HCBA. Right away, I knew he was a trustworthy and welcoming guy. As most of you know, he was my attorney in the infamous Winter v Winter matter--and he had to try to keep me calm in the face of Leo Dorfman's lawyering.
ReplyDeleteI think the times I most treasure are those when I didn't have to share Bob with his many friends: we once drove to divorce camp at Izaty's together--it seemed like such a short trip. And, he once saved me from an evening with a very nice, but very dull, colleague at the AAML-Chicago dinner dance by telling her that he was my date for the evening. We danced to a great band until the music ended. And, most recently, I spent an afternoon with Bob shortly after he learned that he had cancer. His amazing peace ("I am unafraid and will savor the time that remains."), plus his usual wry humor: "It's kind of nice to have everyone tell me what a good guy I am before I die!"
Mary Davidson
I did not know Bob well except by reputation, but at his last Divorce Camp in 2007, I was privileged to have lunch with him. He spoke of his late wife and her illness, his daughters Amy and Jenna and of all the family time at Ten Mile Lake. He talked about his discovery that he loved math and complex financial cases, and of the healing power of Divorce Camp where bitter adversaries who hadn't spoken for months mysteriously began talking again. What was most striking was his ability to be totally present and engaged. While only a brief interlude, I was and am grateful for it. Thank you Bob.
ReplyDeleteRebecca Picard
All of the comments above reflect well on a guy we all know to be a true gentleman. I have worked on cases with Bob both as opposing counsel and as co-counsel, and he was the same person in both roles--a decent guy and a good lawyer. I for one intend to raise many toasts to Bob at Divorce Camp this fall!
ReplyDeleteTim Looby
I just received the sad news yesterday.
ReplyDeleteBob was a terrific lawyer and a special person. We have lost a kind, competent and conscientious gentleman.
Kathy Kissoon