Mimi and I probably knew Bob (“Z”) better after Carleton as he married a high school friend of Mimi’s, and they had a place on Ten Mile Lake not far from ours. Bob was one of (maybe many) of us who found his Carleton self not as prestigious as his high school self. But after Carleton he did well in law school and went on to become a successful attorney in the Cities– most notably representing Kirby Puckett in his divorce case and then Kirby’s widow in a claim against Kirby’s mistress. Bob and his wife had two great kids, who grew up with our kids at the lake.Both Bob and his wife developed mysterious illnesses after a trip to Russia. His wife preceded him in death. His death (due to kidney issues) was drawn out and I was always impressed with the grace with which he handled his demise. I talked to him a couple of hours before he died, and even then he was very calm and very grateful for his life. I remember him telling me at our 40th reunion “we all die sometime, my death will just be a few years before the rest of you.Eric Carlson ’66——————————————————–Bob and I spent a good deal of time together during our Carleton years, much of it engaged in intramural sports. Bob was a fine athlete in many sports, but his humility was such that he always disparaged his academic prowess. In I-M basketball, he was proud of his so-called 2” vertical leap, but that only made his jump shot more accurate. He said he could never figure out why he was chosen in the second round of the inaugural Rotblatt “draft” in preference to many others whom Bob felt were more skilled.After graduation, we didn’t stay in touch, but after Sharon and I moved to Minnesota in 2000, we began to see one another, especially after Ann Lee’s illness and death in 2005. Bob’s physical condition deteriorated until his own death in 2009, but his spirit and sense of humor never did. We enjoyed driving to Northfield to watch the current Carls play basketball. The conversation was always much better than the game.Not long before Bob died, I was able to search old Carletonians to find memories to share with him. We had fun being reminded that in February 1965, he and I and others on our 4th Burton basketball team beat the Viggies (1st Goodhue) by 6 points in overtime knocking them out of the “playoff picture”, according to I-M Slants reporter, “Percy Veerintz”.In his later years, he became a mediator or arbitrator drawing on his long experience in family law. He spoke proudly of providing this important service. I’m sure Bob’s personality and skills were ideal for dispute resolution.His life may have been cut short, but he left big footprints where he walked.Tom Merritt ’66———–Robert Humphrey “Bob” Zalk ObituaryZalk, Robert Humphrey Age 64 of Edina, MN – copied from legacy.comDied 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 Illstad) 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.
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Mimi and I probably knew Bob ("Z") better after Carleton as he married a high school friend of Mimi's, and they had a place on Ten Mile Lake not far from ours. Bob was one of (maybe many) of us who found his Carleton self not as prestigious as his high school self. But after Carleton he did well in law school and went on to become a successful attorney in the Cities-- most notably representing Kirby Puckett in his divorce case and then Kirby's widow in a claim against Kirby's mistress. Bob and his wife had two great kids, who grew up with our kids at the lake.
Both Bob and his wife developed mysterious illnesses after a trip to Russia. His wife preceeded him in death. His death (due to kidney issues) was drawn out and I was always impressed with the grace with which he handled his demise. I talked to him a couple of hours before he died, and even then he was very calm and very grateful for his life. I remember him telling me at our 40th reunion "we all die sometime, my death will just be a few years before the rest of you.
Bob and I spent a good deal of time together during our Carleton years, much of it engaged in intramural sports. Bob was a fine athlete in many sports, but his humility was such that he always disparaged his academic prowess. In I-M basketball, he was proud of his so-called 2” vertical leap, but that only made his jump shot more accurate. He said he could never figure out why he was chosen in the second round of the inaugural Rotblatt “draft” in preference to many others whom Bob felt were more skilled.
After graduation, we didn’t stay in touch, but after Sharon and I moved to Minnesota in 2000, we began to see one another, especially after Ann Lee’s illness and death in 2005. Bob’s physical condition deteriorated until his own death in 2009, but his spirit and sense of humor never did. We enjoyed driving to Northfield to watch the current Carls play basketball. The conversation was always much better than the game.
Not long before Bob died, I was able to search old Carletonians to find memories to share with him. We had fun being reminded that in February 1965, he and I and others on our 4th Burton basketball team beat the Viggies (1st Goodhue) by 6 points in overtime knocking them out of the “playoff picture”, according to I-M Slants reporter, “Percy Veerintz”.
In his later years, he became a mediator or arbitrator drawing on his long experience in family law. He spoke proudly of providing this important service. I’m sure Bob’s personality and skills were ideal for dispute resolution.
His life may have been cut short, but he left big footprints where he walked.
Robert Humphrey "Bob" Zalk
Obituary | Condolences
Robert Humphrey "Bob" Zalk Obituary
Zalk, Robert Humphrey Age 64 of Edina, MN - copied from legacy.com
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 Illstad) 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.