RICHARD WAS A CHAPTER 7 TRUSTEE AND I DEALT WITH HIM FOR BETTER THEN THIRTYYEARS.  HE  WAS ALWAYS POLITE BUT OFTEN A LITTLE SARCASTIC WHICH I BELIEVE IS A TYPE OF BEHAVIOR DEFINED AS "PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE".  HE ALSO WAS VERY GOOD AND COMPETENT AT HIS WORK.  I ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO HAVING A CASE WITH HIM.  HE WILL BE MISSED BY MANY OF US.

BOB BERK

What a strange, sad world this has become since we all shut ourselves away.  I loved spending time with Richard over the years and turned to him as my sage mentor for all things related to distressed debt.  I routinely referred to him as the best in the business but didn't have occasion to share a meal over the past several years as I don't go into the office anymore and spend little time in Cleveland.  I only learned of his passing today as I tried to refer him to a colleague.  He always spoke warmly of his family and was a great support to me.  I will miss him.

Rich enjoyed life and wanted others to find joy as well. At Mara ‘s wedding, he made sure all the children had glow sticks for bracelets and crowns at the reception. He was also the bringer of exotic doughnuts and rainbow bagels for the grandchildren. We hope his joy for life will live on as he is remembered by those who knew and loved him. 

Dear family and friends.  I had the pleasure of knowing Richard professionally for over thirty years.  No matter what the situation, he always had the time to discuss things with me in his own kind and calm special way.   He was more than a gentleman.  He was an example of what every professional should be.  He always had the time for a laugh and a smile.  He did things the way they are supposed to be. He will be my friend forever.

I met Richard in 1987 Clerking for Chief Judge Jack Ray. The Judge had high regard for Richard which was well deserved. He was always prepared, focused and tough, yet very easy going and likeable. I sat in on many Hearings where Richard assisted the Court and indirectly me as a newly minted lawyer with bankruptcy and creditor nuances. I just learned Richard passed last Friday. I am very sorry for the loss to the family. But also the loss to the legal community who held him in high esteem for decades. It was a honor knowing him. 

I dealt with Richard as a ch 7 trustee for probably close to 40 years.  I always found him to be intelligent, thoughtful, hard working, fair and sometimes a little sarcastic.  He died to early and will be sorely missed by other lawyers who also dealt with him and also by his family.

Illness has caused me to terminate my practice and I was unable to attend the services or the wakes but I pass on to Ms. Baumgart that your husband was always a gentleman and kept his word and, again, will be sorely missed.

My sympathy to you and your family 

  

Richard was such a force of life – it is hard to fathom that he is no longer here.  He commanded a room whether he was telling a story or arguing in court.  Whenever we spoke, besides talking business, he always had a good story to share about a poker game, a safari, his children or grandchildren or experiences in a recent case.  I’m so glad I got to hear the stories. I picture him with that grin on his face as he spoke… He lived life to the fullest.  I will miss him.

I knew Richard from growing up with Mara, but more recently the last 5-10 years when I would play poker at the cleveland casino downtown. Sometimes we would end up at the same table, He always remembered me, and was a laughing, fun spirited individual around the poker table.  My condolences to Mara and the rest of the family. 

I first met Rich in Hebrew school. We later reconnected in law school. He was always friendly and funny. Thoughts and prayers are with you Debra. 

Such a loss of a great mentor and true friend to those of us in the next generation.  He had so very many admirable qualities tied up into one exceptionally unique personality. He had such an intelligent and always curious legal mind and always exhibited true professionalism, real honesty and  genuine compassion in the hundreds of professional encounters I had with him over twenty-five years. I will always remember that he always made a point after each hearing was over (even the few  contentious ones) to chat a few minutes with me or at least make eye contact with me with a nod of his head and a smile. There was always such a sparkle in his eye. This man held a huge spark of life in him.  I will always smile when I think of him.

  

Richard was one of Cleveland's finest bankruptcy attorneys. He was passionate, bright, and had a wonderful excitement  he brought to every case. While we were almost inevitably on opposites sides of a case, I was always glad to have him on a case.   Sincere condolences to his family. 

Dear Baumgart Family,

During my brother's illness (he also knew my brother Steve) Richard would always ask about Steve's health whenever I had a Meeting of Creditors. We started discussing our various ailments and shared experiences growing up on the East Side, and our families. His professionalism and competence as recalled by others in this memory section go without saying. I hope the memories of his life well-lived bring you comfort as you mourn his loss. 

Trustee Baumgart was helpful  and honest to me in my Banruptcy practice.

May God rest his soul in peace and bring comfort to his family and friends. Amen.



I was one of the many Cleveland lawyers who had the privilege of knowing Richard and calling him my friend.  I turned to him hundreds of times over the years on bankruptcy matters. He was a lawyer’s lawyer, the ultimate resource when it came to bankruptcy law. He would always listen carefully, then offer the  best advice. Steady, calm, thoughtful, honest, wise beyond his years, always right. But more importantly was the way he treated you.  He treated everyone with kindness, dignity, and respect. He had that rare quality of being an effective lawyer without ever offending anyone. Even his adversaries liked him. You couldn’t help it. And he was a pleasure to work with. 

Shortly before Richard passed, just before he told me he was going to hospice, I sent him this note. I wanted him to know how I felt about him while he was here. 

Dick. I'm so sorry to hear your news. I want to know how much I have truly valued your friendship through the years. You have always given me your time unselfishly and for that I am grateful. There are few people I have met in my life that I consider truly good people you are among them.

I know these words speak for all of us. Dick was, as stated at his funeral, a giant among men. His loss is great blow to our community. We will miss him every day.

Hal Pollock  




Dear Baumgart Family,

Our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy on your loss.  Richard was a kind, empathetic and pragmatic individual with an acerbic wit.  In addition,  he was very honorable and ethical in all his dealings.  We will miss him very much.

Sincerely,

Helene and Steven  Pincus








So many beautiful and inspirational memories have been written about Richard but we all know that words cannot adequately describe the thoughtful,  intelligent and caring man and attorney he was.  After working with Richard for over thirty years I found I could always learn something from him. He treated everyone he met with respect and professionalism. Richard was a true mensch and will be missed.

I had the pleasure of working with Richard in the bankruptcy field for more than 32 years. He was an outstanding attorney and trustee, but more importantly he was a wonderful and trustworthy person who possessed a sharp, wry sense of humor. He will be deeply missed. My condolences to his family. 

I first met Richard as a young kid; he was a longtime JCC basketball friend of my dad's. I remember him as being a great player and always friendly, even offering to help me shoot hoops (I was never athletic, but he tried to teach me!)
In later years I found out that he was related to my dear friend Steve Friedman and had the opportunity to do some computer repair work for him. I always found him very easy to work with.
Everyone in the legal community always spoke very highly of him. My condolences to the entire family.

My deepest condolences.  I wasn't as close to Richard as others who have left such thoughtful tributes below, but every word of those ring true.  He was such an intelligent, helpful and good-humored colleague in the bar; our profession has lost a great man.  Rest in peace, Richard.

Elayne,

My condolences on ur loss. So sorry. I just had one legal consult w Richard and he was very kind.

Judy H

Richard had a beautiful spirit.  He was always friendly, professional, thoughtful and fair.  My condolences to his family.  I’m very sorry for your loss.  

In my 33 years of practicing law, I appeared before Richard in his capacity as a trustee many times.  It wasn’t until I started cardiac rehab in January 2020 that I really got to know Richard.  I was scared, and unsure of what to expect.  Seeing a familiar and friendly face my first time at rehab made things a whole lot easier.  He was very supportive and even though COVID shut down rehab just a few weeks after I started, we kept in touch to check up on each other.  I will forever be thankful that he was there to help me through that difficult time. My condolences to his family.

Ricard was one of the finest members of the Cleveland Bar I have ever known. I have rarely met anyone of such intelligence, skill and integrity in my legal career. I consider myself fortunate to have worked closely with him recently on a very difficult case, and his insights, practical approach and frankly offbeat sense of humor about things made it much easier to bear the difficulties we both faced in it. I will miss him greatly and my condolences to his family on his untimely passing.

Richard and I attended OSU Law School together and served a bankruptcy Trustees for over 40 years.  Richard was bright, impassioned and a tireless advocate for his clients and for the bankruptcy system as a whole.  May his memory be a blessing to his family.

Richard was a wonderful friend to me when I needed one, and a truly great attorney.
He will be missed by many.

May his memory be a blessing at this difficult time.
My sincere condolences.
Alan Silverman

This saddens me deeply.  Richard was a terrific person in every way.  He was also one of the best lawyers I had the privilege of working with for 40 years or so. Whatever Richard told you, you could take to the bank, never any nonsense from Richard.  He was always a straight shooter and  a pleasure to work with and be around. He always had time to tell a good story no matter how busy his day was. I considered Richard to be a good friend and confidant and  I will truly miss him. 

It is so hard for me to be writing this. Richard and I had a 40+ year relationship dating back to when he clerked at Dettelbach & Sicherman after his second year in law school and then came into the Firm when he graduated. Our joke over all these years was that I taught him everything he knew. Not so. Oh his own he grew into the outstanding lawyer we all knew & loved. Our relationship grew over the years, mostly on a professional basis (I don't play poker), but we were good friends as well. And that friendship blossomed when he moved into the 21st Floor of 55 Public Square where I had my office. The last conversation we had before I moved to the "burbs" last November was about his diagnosis. He didn't want me to hear it on the street. He was so much fun to be around and he was an absolute wealth of knowledge. I will miss Richard very, very much.

Richard and I attended OSU College of Law together, we shared a lot of expeeriences. Richard tried to teach me how to play poker and even gave me a book (an early version of poker for dummies). I never learned and Richard always reminded me, to concentrate on my career, because I wasn’t going to make money playing poker.
We reconnected about 20 years ago when we discovered that we shared the 11th floor of the Ohio Savings Bldg. We’d meet and share client stories. Richard was fearless. He never backed down, but at the same time he was a realist up to the end. I’ll miss my friend.

Richard faithfully and expertly administered thousands of cases and distributed millions of dollars to creditors as a bankruptcy trustee. He mentored attorneys new to the profession. He made time to share stories. For decades he led the bankruptcy bar with his knowledge of case law and ability to work through the toughest issues. He treated people fairly and possessed exemplary integrity.

Richard Baumgart was one of the most lovely people I have ever known. His professionalism , compassion
and warm welcoming 
Personality  always made me feel comfortable and secure in his hands. 
My sympathy to his family. 
Mary Ann Silver

I saw Richard frequently during my tenure on the bankruptcy bench in Cleveland, where he appeared both as a chapter 7 trustee and as counsel for different parties. He was a straight shooter; I soon found I could trust what he told me. His briefs were always well-written and well-researched, and his court arguments were persuasive.  He worked well with opposing counsel and never took advantage of the fact that he often had more experience than the other lawyer. In these respects, he was a role model to others.
My condolences to his whole family.
Patti Morgenstern-Clarren
Retired U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, N.D. Ohio at Cleveland

I have known Dickie for many years ever since his father Herman was partners with my step-father Gil Arian.  My deepest and most sincere condolences  to the family.  Dickie was a fine gentlemen and an excellent practitioner.  May he rest in peace…

My sincere condolences to the Baumgart family.  I knew Richard and worked with him in his capacity as a bankruptcy trustee.  I enjoyed working with him and he will be missed.

I am very sorry.  My condolences to the entire family. Richard was a fine lawyer, whom I enjoyed working with, and a wonderful person. I shall miss him.

I have rarely met anyone as principled and admirable as Richard - both personally and professionally.  He and I spent hours together commuting back and forth to a matter in Erie, PA a few years back - laughing much of the way.  His knowledge and skill as a lawyer was impressive, but his dedication to his beloved family was awe-inspiring.  I will miss you, my friend.   

I just read the kind words that my long time friend and mentor Bob Weltman said about Richard.  I could not have said it better.  Richard was one of the best and brightest out there and he will be forever missed.  

Take care my friend.  May you rest in peace.  

My condolences to the entire Baumgart family as we lost a good one.

I've known Richard as a fellow colleague for most if not all of his legal career having met him thru his uncle and close friend.Marv Sicherman.

Over the years Richard and I (and Marv) have both fought on the same side and many times as opponents. One knew when he had a contest with Richard it would be at the highest intelligible level.

Richard and i would share many war stories both in combat and in discussion. .Richards intelligence and commitment to our profession was never in doubt.

With the passing of Richard we lost one of the good guys but the mark he has left on us personally and professionally will be around forever.

OBITUARY

Richard A. Baumgart

December 30, 1953 – September 6, 2021

Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel

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