MEMORIAL RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF RICHARD A. MICHAEL
WHEREAS, Professor Richard "Dick" A. Michael, a pillar in the Illinois legal community, passed away on August 22, 2022 in Summerville, South Carolina at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of Professor Michael's passing by the Honorable Brendan Reilly, Alderman ofthe 42nd Ward; and
WHEREAS, Whether it was writing the Illinois Rules of Civil Procedure or teaching them to generations of law students, Professor Michael has left an indelible impact on the Illinois legal community; and
WHEREAS, Affectionately known by his colleagues and students as "the RAM" - not only for his initials, but also for his ability to drill the standards for a 12(b)(6) motion into his students' heads -Professor Michael's teaching style often caused many a 1L to perspire, but his friendly demeanor lives in all of their memories anytime they hear the words "sorry Charlie"; and
WHEREAS, Professor Michael, always a north sider at heart, grew up on Balmoral Avenue and graduated from St. George's High School before receiving his Bachelor of Science from Loyola University in 1955 and graduating from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 1958; Professor Michael subsequently obtained a Master of Laws from the University of Illinois in 1960; and
WHEREAS, Professor Michael answered his nation's call, serving honorably in the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant and later in the Army Reserves; and
WHEREAS, He began his teaching career at the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, recruited to New Orleans by Father William Kenealy, an outspoken integrationist; while in New Orleans he advised the Louisiana legislature as it took on desegregation in the early 1960s; and
WHEREAS, In the 1960s, Professor Michael returned to Illinois and ultimately led the Appellate Division of the Illinois Attorney General's Office under then Attorney General William Clark; he frequently argued before the Illinois Supreme Court and United States Supreme Court - often unsuccessfully, as he was quick to point out; and
WHEREAS, Professor Michael ultimately spent over 50 years on the faculty at Loyola University Chicago School of Law; he was the preeminent authority on Illinois Civil Procedure, authoring West's Illinois Civil Procedure Before Trial and dozens of articles on numerous aspects of the law; he was a professor and mentor to three generations of lawyers and a dear friend to many; while teaching law he also served as the General Counsel to Loyola University Chicago and the Loyola University Medical Center; and
WHEREAS, The Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago named Professor Michael as the Catholic Lawyer of the Year in 2005; and
WHEREAS, Professor Michael loved visiting Europe in the summer, especially the vineyards of Bordeaux, as well as winter break in Hawaii, with his beloved Mary; a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Bears fan, his booming voice heckling in full paragraphs will be missed by many; and
WHEREAS, Professor Michael was most at home in front of a class of students, and his happiest days were spent leading a class through the intricacies of Civil Procedure or Federal Jurisdiction and thereafter leading them in a drink at the nearby Flapjaws' Saloon, generally with a Macanudo Cigar in hand and a thousand stories at the ready; and
WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Mathewson Michael, with whom he shared a wonderful life, Mary's family became his family, and his loss is felt most deeply by his grandson, Mark C. Mathewson; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty-first day of September, 2022, do hereby extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Professor Richard Michael; and
BRENDAN REILLY Alderman, 42nd Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Professor Richard Michael as a sign of our honor and respect.
