ADR CORNER
In Memoriam : Theodore Anthony Deckert
ADAM MYRON
The ADR community and the community at large recently suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Theodore “ Ted ” Anthony Deckert at the age of 70 . The Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the Palm Beach County Bar Association , of which Ted was an active member , mourns his loss and wishes this month to use this space – typically dedicated to a robust discussion of topical ADR issues – to celebrate Ted ’ s life .
Born and raised in West Palm Beach , Ted was a product of Palm Beach County ’ s public school system , having graduated from Forest Hill High School before enrolling at the University of Florida . There , he earned his undergraduate and legal degrees before returning to Palm Beach County .
In 1976 , Ted began his legal practice as a civil trial attorney , and in 2000 , he became a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil & Family Mediator so that he could help people creatively make peace by
resolving their legal disputes .
As a mediator , Ted was prolific , and dedicated much of his time to bettering our profession . Ted served on the Palm Beach Bar ’ s ADR Committee for many years ( including as its Chair ), he was a contributor to the First Inaugural Mediation Mentoring Academy , and he was a frequent contributor to the ADR Corner you ’ re reading right now .
And yet , Ted was so much more than the attorney and mediator we knew and loved . In 1983 , Ted became a founding member of The Lord ’ s Place , an organization committed to ending the cycle of homelessness . His personal mantra was “ embrace the journey ,” and he loved travel and adventure . Whether it was hiking in remote areas of the country , rappelling down the side of the Comeau Building in West Palm Beach to raise funds for The Lord ’ s Place , or flying around on a water jetpack over the intracoastal alongside Flagler Drive , Ted took every opportunity
PBCBA BAR BULLETIN 7
he could to better not just his own life , but also the lives of those around him .
Ted ’ s legacy lives on through his wife of 19 years ; his father ; his three brothers , three children , stepson , and all their respective spouses ; his four nephews ; and his six grandchildren . His legacy also lives on through us . Ted , your absence is tremendously felt , but so is the positive impact you had on all of us . We will do our utmost to live up to your example .
Adam Myron is an attorney with the law firm of Cagnet Myron Law , P . A ., where he focuses on complex civil litigation , including commercial and business litigation and trust & estate litigation . Adam is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Mediator and a Florida Qualified Arbitrator . You can email him at amyron @ cagnetmyronlaw . com .