What an outstanding individual! I was always so touched by his gentle presence and kind smile when he showed up at the Newman Center with his precious wife!! My most sincere sympathy to you Katy and to your family.

As another U. of Chicago Law School classmate of Bert's, I have been a long distance, but consistent, admirer of Bert for decades. We are all saddened by the loss of his presence. He always represented to me the best of the rock-solid mid- Western values around which many of us were raised. Bert was a highly intelligent and competent professional, a man of high integrity, wonderfully accomplished, yet humble, and a hard-working major contributor to, and leader in, his community and profession in countless ways.
                                                                      Roland Brandel

I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Bert's passing. Bert was a wonderful man, a first class lawyer and citizen, a delight to be with, a pillar of his community and family. We met in law school where we were classmates, and remained in touch - less frequently than I wished - over all the intervening years. His passing is a huge loss to his beloved family, his legion of friends and admirers, and all those in his community and the great many organizations he served with dignity and distinction.

Bert was a law school classmate and friend. He was a good man with a strong sense of community.  He and I shared duty as our law school class scribe.  He bore his grave health issues over the years with grace and humor, and he will be greatly missed. My best wishes and condolences to Katy and his family.   Terry Feiertag

Bert and I were classmates at the University  of Chicago Law School and kept in touch over the years.  He was a kind and generous soul and enjoyed visits to Minnesota by him and Kathryn. My sympathies are extended to her and their family.

I was fortunate to have had Bert as a friend and wish I'd been able to do more for him. Bert had a quiet and yet sharp sense of humor, I did some work on one of his O Scale 
steam engines and started calling it "Little Bert" in which Bert found great humor. I'll 
miss his stories and his smile.      

Phil Rowe

Katy, I’m so sorry to hear about Bert. Sister, you are definitely in my thoughts & prayers. I love you & Bert will be truly missed.

Bert was a good friend and a mentor. We talked a lot about family, friends and sports, including our own participation. I learned that during high school Bert participated in track and football. In track, Bert had speed, and I mean real speed, 10.2 in the hundred yard dash. I would have been lucky to hit 13 seconds.

We enjoyed lunch together frequently at The Athletic Club. We talked about the practice of law, and shared our experiences. 

One common experience was work on  Albert Johnson’s FELA claim. Just after I started at Bricker, I worked for Bert helping him and Bruce Lynn defend the Penn Central Railroad against Mr. Johnson’s FELA claim.

Mr. Johnson wanted a lot of money. Under FELA all Mr. Johnson had to prove was that the event, his slip and fall, occurred at work and establish his damages.

Mr. Johnson was near retirement and his slip and fall was not witnessed. The claim was for soft tissue back pain. Bert and Bruce evaluated the claim to be worth somewhere between $25,000 and $35,000. Mr. Johnson wanted more, so the case went to trial.

I did not attend the trial, since having three attorneys present would seem like ganging up on Mr. Johnson and his attorney. So I waited back at the office. We got a call that the jury had come in with a verdict for Mr. Johnson of $250,000!!! I thought “Oh my gosh”, what did I do wrong. I’m going to get fired.

I didn’t get fired and Mr. Johnson did  not get $250,000. Bert and Bruce got Judge Kinneary to poll the jury. It turned out that one of the jurors had heard that Penn Central was in bankruptcy and convinced his fellow jurors to increase the award to $250,000 so that Mr. Johnson would not get pennies on the dollar because of the bankruptcy. This reasoning was incorrect, since FELA claims were paid in full.

Judge Kinneary in his wisdom granted Bert’s and Bruce’s motion for a remittitur, and Mr. Johnson got $35,000.

Bert was an excellent trial attorney. One of his cases was one of the largest jury awards ever won by the firm. The verdict was around $10,000,000 in a eminent domain case in which Bert represented the railroad.

Bert was a wise counselor. He was my go to person if I wanted to talk through a legal problem. 

Bert was a proud graduated of Indiana University, and I was a proud graduate of The Ohio State University College of Law. This lead to a standing bet we had on the OSU - IU football and basketball games. Since there were two basketball games (and Bobby Knight was the IU coach), I ended up on the short end of the stick. I think I still owe Bert $2.00. I will give it to Katie, when we see her.

Today when so many people lack a moral compass, Bert was an island of integrity. We will miss him.

Bert was a fine gentleman and lawyer.  Bert was one of my mentors when I was a young lawyer at Bricker & Eckler.  He always provided wise counsel.  Bert sang baritone in our B&E barbershop quartet many years ago.  We would gather at Bruce Lynn’s house.  Bruce sang tenor, Mike Renner sang bass, and I sang lead.  Baritone is the hardest part.  Bert had a great baritone voice and he had the discipline and the intellect required.  There is generally no rhyme or reason to the baritone part.  It bounces all over the place, but when you have an excellent baritone like Bert, the close barbershop harmony is great fun to hear  I am grateful that Katie made it possible for Bert and I to have a nice long lunch together a few months ago.  Bert was a great and good man, and I will miss him greatly.  Tom Workman

Katie and family, we send our love and condolences. Bert had a very impressive life and we will definitely remember him by celebrating joys in ours. 
John Clark And Libby Beckley

Bert was a consumate gentleman and professional. Quietly competent, dedicated and tenacious. Our offices were close and respected Senior Partner Mr. Kram welcomed this nurse to the firm by bring my printing to me. I was and remain today humbled by his example of living “the Bricker way”.   His personal relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has him “ home, whole and  happy” in Heaven. Rest in peace good and faithful servant.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Elbert Jacob Kram

28 mars 1941 – 20 septembre 2019

Schoedinger Midtown

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