Dick Segal when a student at North Phoenix High School
Recalling attorneys who have done great things for the community is always a pleasure, and that is what took me to an event back on September 10. In the old Phoenix courthouse, fellow leaders from the Phoenix Community Alliance gathered to remember the achievements of Richard Segal.
He had died suddenly on April 18. (I noted his passing here. And read his obituary here.)
Among other things, Segal was the longtime managing partner of Gust Rosenfeld and former State Bar President. In a historic conference room, though, in an event deftly led by PCA President Don Keuth, folks mainly recalled Dick as a founding officer of the PCA.
Marty Shultz recalls Dick Segal, Sept. 10, 2014.
Marty Shultz reminded listeners of Segal’s calm in the face of chaos. He would routinely “pipe in with a soft voice with the most useful solutions to problems.”
Terry Goddard praised the organization and the man.
Terry Goddard recalls Dick Segal, Sept. 10, 2014.
“PCA’s formation as a triumph of hope over reality,” he said. “Quietly, competently, he kept PCA on track, on mission.”
Hon. Glenn Davis (ret.) recalls Dick Segal, Sept. 10, 2014.
Retired Judge Glenn Davis praised Segal’s support for the Maricopa County Justice Museum & Learning Center, which shared a floor with the conference room. He urged attendees to view the Legal Hall of Fame display next door, which included Segal, “a lawyer’s lawyer.”
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton recalls Dick Segal, Sept. 10, 2014.
The current Phoenix Mayor, Greg Stanton, estimated that Dick Segal had worked with 13 mayors, “always prodding them toward excellence.”
Dick Segal
“Dick knew that positive change wasn’t a spectator sport,” Stanton continued. “He was present, always there.”
Mayor Stanton told those assembled that the accumulated value of the legal time given pro bono by Dick and his firm “must run into the 10s of millions of dollars.”
The Mayor also noted that Dick was instrumental in launching the Downtown Phoenix Partnership and in bringing an office of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation to Arizona. He also helped in creating the Human Services Campus near downtown.
“Our city needs more Dick Segals,” the Mayor concluded.
For more information on the gathering and the man, read the Downtown Devil article.
And if you have not visited the Museum, head over there soon. Here are a few images (click to enlarge).
-
- Maricopa County Justice Museum
AZ Attorney 
Leave a comment