I am very sorry at Berk's passing. We were friends for over 35 years in a different arena---the Travis County Courthouse. We had both been prosecutors in early days and later criminal defense lawyers. In more recent years we got to be better friends due to our mutual interest in knives. While I am ignorant when it comes to Berk's beloved khukuris, we did share an appreciation for traditional folders. When we'd meet for lunch, we'd each bring a shiny new acquisition to show off---which usually resulted in some curious stares from the other patrons!
But from our earlier pre-retirement life, I can tell you that Berk was widely admired and respected as a lawyer. He tried some of the most important and complex criminal cases in our courthouse, and the judges all knew that if Berk was involved, the case would be handled with the utmost professionalism and expertise. Berk was a great scholar of the law and always a gentleman to everyone, and he was renowned for his quick wit and sense of humor.
This is a great loss for all of us.
Andrew
