Professor Richard Michael

Professor Richard (Dick) A. Michael left this world suddenly at the age of 89 on August 22, 2022, in Summerville, South Carolina. 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.

Professor Michael, always a Northsider at heart grew up on Balmoral Avenue and graduated from St. George's High School. He graduated from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law in 1958 after receiving his Bachelor of Science from Loyola University in 1955. He graduated first in his class having achieved the highest average score in the school's history. Professor Michael subsequently obtained a Master of Laws from the University of Illinois in 1960.

Professor Michael answered his nation's call, serving honorably in the US Army as a Second Lieutenant and later in the Army Reserves.

He began his teaching career at the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. He was 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.

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, he would point out.

Professor Michael ultimately spent over fifty years on the Loyola University of Chicago School of Law's faculty. He was the preeminent authority on Illinois Civil Procedure, authored 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 of Chicago and the Loyola University Medical Center.

The Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago named Professor Michael as the Catholic lawyer of the Year in 2005.

He loved visiting Europe in the summer, the vineyards of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Alsace in particular. 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. But Dick was most at home in front of a class of students. 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. Resting at Holy Name Cathedral at 9:30am on Friday, September 2, 2022. Funeral to follow at 10:30am. Family Interment at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines to follow Mass.

In lieu of giving flowers, the family asks that those who are able continue his legacy by donating to the Richard A. Michael Scholarship Fund at Loyola University of Chicago, School of Law, 25 East Pearson Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611.