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Deceased Name: Zalk , Robert Humphrey

64, of Edina, MN, died on August 3, 2009 after a long illness. He was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, on December 1, 1944, son of Donald and Juliette (Erickson) Humphrey. His father was killed in World War II shortly before his birth. He and his mother moved to St. Paul, MN, where in 1954 Juliette "Judy" remarried Donald Zalk who became Bob's adoptive father. Bob graduated from Carleton College in 1966 and the University of Minnesota Law School in 1969 where he was a member of the Law Review. He and his wife Ann Lee were married for 36 years; they had two daughters, Amy and Jenna. They spent many wonderful summers together at Ten Mile Lake. Bob was deeply devoted to both his immediate and large extended family, as well as many dear friends. After starting out in corporate and general law, Bob became a partner specializing in family law at Fredrickson & Byron, P.A., from 1984 to 1994; and owned the law firms, Zalk & Eayrs, P.A. and Zalk & Bryant, P.A. from 1994 to 2006. Most recently he served as a mediator, evaluator and arbitrator for Dispute Resolution Services in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is the past president (2000-2001) of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a member of the Board of Governors for the national organization. Recognized for his genteel demeanor and tactful negotiation skills, Bob earned the respect of many clients and colleagues and in 2006 he received the Civility and Professionalism Award from the Family Law Section of the Hennepin County Bar Association. Bob's faith and spiritual life were extremely important to him and influenced his daily decisions in work, leisure and family. He was active in the ecumenical Christian movement, Cursillo, serving on many weekend retreats in churches and also serving on the organization's (Unidos en Cristo) governing board. He is survived by his mother, Juliette Zalk of Arden Hills; two daughters, the Rev. Amy and her husband, the Rev. Matthew Larson of Decorah, IA; Jenna and her husband Dr. Peter Zalk Berendzen of Cedar Falls, IA; a grandson, Nathan Larson; a granddaughter, Abigail Larson; brothers, Michael Zalk (Sissel Ilstad) of Maplewood, MN; Donald Zalk (Marni Hockenberg) of Minnetonka, MN; sisters, Jody (Al) Hilgers of Arden Hills, MN; Mary (Dean) Neumann of Prior Lake, MN; Marjory (Greg) Zalk Enerson of Bismarck, ND; sister-in-law, Jane Greco of Maplewood, MN; special friend, Pam Loffhagen of Edina, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews. Zalk is preceded in death by his father, Donald Humphrey; his adoptive father, Donald B. Zalk; and his wife, Ann Lee Zalk. Funeral Services will be held at 1 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2009, at Normandale Lutheran Church on 6100 Normandale Road, Edina, Rev. Dale Howard presiding, with a reception following at the church. The family will greet friends from 4-8 PM Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapel, 5000 West 50th Street and Hwy 100 in Edina. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society or the Normandale House c/o Normandale Lutheran Church. Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Star Tribune: Newspaper of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN)

Date: August 6, 2009

Deceased Name: Lawyer Bob Zalk had respect of clients, colleagues

Among his high-profile clients was Kirby Puckett. Zalk was admired for his sharp mind and genteel demeanor.

In divorce court where cases can sometimes get volatile and participants highly emotional, family law attorney Robert (Bob) Humphrey Zalk was a calming influence who used his keen intellect, tact and calming demeanor to resolve disputes amicably.

During his nearly 40-year career, Zalk had myriad clients, including former Minnesota Twins player Kirby Puckett, but no matter who he represented, "he worked carefully for everybody and was able to combine his grasp of the tough legal aspects of divorce with his compassion for people," said Zalk's daughter, the Rev. Amy Larson of Decorah, Iowa.

Zalk died of kidney failure Monday at North Memorial Hospice Care in Brooklyn Center after a long illness. He was 64.

Born in Albert Lea, Minn., just after his father died in World War II, Zalk grew up in St. Paul and graduated from Como Park High School. He majored in political science while at Carleton College in Northfield and graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School with one of the brightest minds in the class of 1969, which included former state Attorney General Hubert Humphrey III and U.S. District Judge James Rosenbaum, those who knew him said.

"I was always impressed by Bob's quick grasp of legal issues," said Rosenbaum. "He was scrupulously honest, very intelligent. He'd say, 'Let's take a look at this and straighten things out,' and he'd lead both sides to places they should get."

Zalk began his career in general and corporate law, but switched to family law in 1984 when he became a partner at Fredrikson and Byron. From 1994 to 2006, he owned the law firm Zalk and Bryant in Minneapolis. He often went beyond the call of duty and did extras for his clients, said Hennepin County Family Court Referee Milt Dunham. That, along with his intense concern for people and problem-solving ability, earned him respect from his peers, his daughter said. He was awarded the Civility and Professionalism Award from the Family Law section of the Hennepin County Bar Association in 2006.

Clients were not the only ones to seek out Zalk. Many lawyers called on him for counsel, both for personal concerns and for advice regarding cases involving matrimonial law, Rosenbaum said.

Zalk was past president of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a member of the Board of Governors for the national organization.

When not practicing law, Zalk volunteered for Cursillo, a multi-denominational organization that puts on weekend retreats at area churches, and served on its governing board. For 30 years he regularly met with a group of men to discuss issues regarding spirituality and faith. He enjoyed spending time with his family and extended family, both at home and at the family cabin near Walker, his daughter said. Zalk also was a big baseball fan, Dunham said.

In addition to his daughter Amy Larson, Zalk is survived by his mother, Juliette Zalk of Arden Hills; another daughter, Jenna Zalk Berendzen of Cedar Falls, Iowa; two brothers, Michael of Maplewood and Donald of Minnetonka; three sisters, Jody Hilgers of Arden Hills, Mary Neumann of Prior Lake and Marjory Zalk Enerson of Bismarck, N.D., and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Lee Zalk.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. today at Normandale Lutheran Church, 6100 Normandale Road, Edina. A reception will follow.

Star Tribune: Newspaper of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN)

Date: August 6, 2009

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