The State Bar Association of North Dakota Fall 2015 Gavel Magazine | Page 18

Goodbye, Dewey Kautzmann
A short time ago the North Dakota
State Bar Association lost one of its true
characters. And I say that only in the most
affectionate way.
Dwight C.H. (Dewey) Kautzmann passed
away following complications from renal
failure and heart disease on July 23. It was a
passing that should not go unnoticed by our
Association. There was nothing traditional
about Dewey Kautzmann in the strict sense
but he was unique for so many reasons. And
he was my friend and a friend to a large
segment of this Association.
There are not many professionals known
simply by their first name. Dewey was one.
And for those that were privileged to meet
him, and try cases against him, with him
and in front of him, there is a smile today
on their faces. He was what I call and an

“impact” lawyer. Once you met him you
could not forget him. He always made the
conversation about you. And he laughed. He
went through life with a smile on his face
and laughter in his heart.
We had a unique friendship which amazingly
grew out us being adversaries in the federal
building when I was with the US Attorney’s
Office and he was in the defense bar. Not
many recall his engaging talent in the
Courtroom. But he was a consummate trial
lawyer. He was self-deprecating, simple and
devastatingly effective. He loved the defense
of the disadvantaged. I don’t think I ever saw
him happier than when he was putting a case
to a jury. And as he marched on in career and
became a Judge, I know in his heart (both
old and new) that he wanted to be back in
the well of the Courtroom.

Dewey Kautzmann in Cork, Ireland, August
1985, at the ABA Annual Meeting. He was
SBAND President in 1988-89.

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THE GAVEL