I was so sad to learn of the passing of Kraag Lieberman earlier this week. Kraag was Charlevoix County Prosecuting Attorney from 1983 to 1992. He was a highly intelligent, highly respected part of our legal community.

Kraag was our E.F. Hutton (sorry to the younger readers who aren’t familiar with those 1980s commercials) – when he talked, people listened. Prosecutors and police officers knew that, when as a defense lawyer, Kraag said there was a problem with a case, they’d better take a close look.

He could be a man of few words but also had a wicked sense of humor. For Charlevoix Rayder sports fans, it is my understanding that he was a tremendous football player.

On a personal level, when I was considering a run for prosecuting attorney, Kraag was one of the very few people whose advice I sought before announcing. As always he provided wise counsel.

It may be an overused phrase but Kraag truly was a pillar of our legal community.