My deepest sympathies to Denis’ family. He was a generous and entertaining man. I got to see many cool Chicago venues that I would not otherwise have seen as a result of knowing him. 

I read many of the memories from friends, co-workers, associates, etc.  But I knew you since I was born.  You were my big cousin at five-years old. Your younger and only sibling, Jeanne, and I grew up as sisters until her way to early death at 47.  My Aunt Juliet, your mother, meant the world to me.  Juliet, Jeanette and my mother were so very influential in my life.  All through our early lives and twenty’s,  our combined family spent many memorable Mother’s Days, Christmas’ Thanksgivings, graduations, bridal and baby showers.  I looked up to you as a big brother. Even though you snitched on me when I spilt kool-aid on your mom’s new carpet. You handled my divorce. Your advised my mother and father on a host of life moments we needed an attorney. You are a good soul. I am heart broken of your passing. I have lost a part of myself. Part of my family.  A real family. We grew up in an incredible, extended family of the Johnson’s.  I miss your dad, mother, sister and now you.  With all
My love and admiration, your cousin, Kristen


Denis, 

I read many of the memories from friends, co-workers, associates, etc.  But I knew you since I was born.  You were my big cousin at five-years old. Your younger and only sibling, Jeanne, and I grew up as sisters until her way to early death at 47.  My Aunt Juliet, your mother, meant the world to me.  Juliet, Jeanette and my mother were so very influential in my life.  All through our early lives and twenty’s,  our combined family spent many memorable Mother’s Days, Christmas’ Thanksgivings, graduations, bridal and baby showers.  I looked up to you as a big brother. Even though you snitched on me when I spilt kool-aid on your mom’s new carpet. You handled my divorce. Your advised my mother and father on a host of life moments we needed an attorney. You are a good soul. I am heart broken of your passing. I have lost a part of myself. Part of my family.  A real family. We grew up in an incredible, extended family of the Johnson’s.  I miss your dad, mother, sister and now you.  With all
My love and admiration, your cousin, Kristen

I will never forget the thrill of being hired as a law clerk by the awesome Allegretti, Newitt, Witcoff & McAndrews law firm.   At the time, Denis was a busy and accomplished young patent-attorney partner at the firm.  Yet he  constantly took time to speak with me, find out how I was doing, answer my questions, give me pointers, etc.   In the summers during my law school years and later as a patent-attorney associate and  then a young partner at the firm, Denis would also frequently reach out to me and the other associates to  go to lunch or head out for some drinks after work.  We would have a great time, and we also would learn a ton from Denis about practicing law and how to do well in the firm as well.   

And, whenever I hit a bump in the road at the firm, it was usually Denis who would reach out and help me find a solution;  he never failed at it either.  

Denis:  

I am so very greatly indebted to you -- my Illini friend,  mentor, employer, and partner!! 

I-L-L, Denis!

With great respect, admiration, and fondness for you always,

Bob

I just got the news today – wow. Denis was the point man in recruiting me to the firm, just enough older than me to be “senior” but young enough (especially at heart) to be a confidante. He rented me my first Chicago apartment, above his in his three-flat, very near Wrigley Field - no lease, no deposit, and about half the market rate. Denis infected me with his love for Chicago - I stayed 35 years. So much introductory advice – memorize these streets (Harlem, Ashland to the west, Chicago, North, Fullerton, Belmont to the north) to know where you are in Chicago; don’t go into a windowless bar if you want to meet girls; go to these places to get great suits at a discounted price; go here for the best shoes, etc. A few years later, when the firm hit a bump in the road, he was the first to point out the opportunities presented. And several years after that, when I hit my biggest bump in the road, he confided that he could and would provide whatever help I truly needed. I never forgot that, and I’ll never forget Denis.

I recently learned that one of my former partners passed away. Denis Berntsen was a great friend, mentor and partner. He made me laugh countless times and was always willing to give amazing advice. Here is one of my fondest memories of Denis - playing his famous pencil game. Rest In peace my friend, you will be missed.

 


OK Denis,
The family is back in your hands.  Remember only one Whiskey Sour for the "Queens"...  

Denis was a great guy and an excellent lawyer. I was fortunate to be one of the many young lawyers in our firm to work with Denis and learn from him. Denis gave me the opportunity to take and defend depositions in South Korea and the United Kingdom. I was a “victim” of Denis’ toothpick game (aka “forest from the trees” game) referenced by Charles.  Showing compassion for me, Denis later told me that someone else played the game on him and made him a “victim.” I am grateful to have been Denis’ partner. 

Denis you were my partner in law and golf and you did both with talent and integrity. I second the comments of our former partners Dan and Charles.  

In the vernacular of our generation, Denis was "a man's man," and that's why everyone loved him, especially the women.  A great athlete,  great mind, funny, insightful, and self-deprecating, Denis always had his eye on the big picture, the open opportunity, and the missing link.  A complicated man, he was certainly not an open book; anyone who knows Denis, knows that he kept his life close to the vest.  I wasn't able to remain in close contact with Denis after he moved to Arizona, but I always enjoyed our catch-up phone calls.  I will miss him.  Dan

Throughout his working life, Denis was an excellent lawyer. He had a keen sense for the law, and technology too, as he was a patent lawyer-but not just any patent lawyer-Denis knew how to go to trial for his clients and win, no small deed. He also knew how to be a mentor and prized adviser for others. 

Denis and I and many of his good friends practiced law together for many years. Denis is the reason I joined at his law firm. It  was one of the best decisions of my life. Denis personally was the principal draw. I told my wife then and many people since that Denis and his fellow lawyers distinguished themselves in being uniquely personal and personable, positive, outgoing, caring, people apart. I always felt blessed, or call it lucky, that he and I ever met. 

He was charismatic, fun loving, smart, wise, one of the world's best persons. One of his favorite jokes around the law firm is that at a time when he was the only associate of the firm (all the other lawyers were partners) he was voted the firm's Best Associate-by a split vote. He also had a wildly entertaining game and trick he played on an unsuspecting new lawyer, at firm parties, sitting himself on the floor, arranging straws or sticks, whatever he had, to supposedly represent numbers that would reveal a pattern, getting the "mark" focused on the sticks, and asking that person to figure out the pattern as he changed the sticks around. While their attention was laser focused on the sticks, his left hand told all us who crowded around watching, who had ourselves also been tricked, long before, what numbers the sticks represented. Each time the new person could not tell, he would ask us, and we would yell it out from the number of fingers on his left hand, roaring in laughter. Frustrated, finally the mark would get it as Denis moved his left hand closer. It was silly, wonderful fun, as lawyers can never get anything wrong, they think, but the mark always did. 

Denis is missed, by many. Certainly by me. 

Denis and I were cousins. Denis' mom Juliet and my
mother, Jeanette, were twins. So, when Denis and I
were young, we grew up together. However, eventually,
our families moved to different cities. But we would
always come together on the 4th of July at a park
to celebrate our Grandmother's birthday.

Denis was good at many sports. He played basketball
for his high school team. After high school, Denis attended
the University Of Illinois to take classes in law. After
graduating, he worked as an attorney. Denis would use
his knowledge of the law to help family members.

Denis loved to play golf and became very good
at it. So, when he retired, he continued the sport. He
found friendship with other golfers and played many times
a week.

If there is a way for someone to play golf after they
pass, I know Denis will find how to do it.

I hope Denis will rest in peace. We will all miss him.

Roy Anderson

OBITUARIO

Denis Alan Berntsen

22 abril, 1947 – 13 mayo, 2021

Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery

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