Richard Lee August

1947 - 2019

February 1, 1947 - January 10, 2019 On Thursday, January 10, 2019, we lost Richard Lee August-a beloved father, brother, partner, friend and prominent Los Angeles attorney. Rick passed away at his home in Malibu, California, after battling aggressive cancer for just three months. Born in Chicago and reared in the Central Illinois town of Mattoon, Rick earned undergraduate and graduate degrees Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Illinois and his law degree with honors from the University of Southern California. Rick's legal acumen was acute, and he quickly made his mark as one of the preeminent real estate lawyers of his generation. Early in his career, Rick rose to be the youngest-ever Chair of the growing real estate department at Manatt, Phelps, Rothenberg & Phillips. In 1990, he was a founding partner of Russ, August & Kabat and was always instrumental in the firm's success. To his co-founding partners Larry Russ and Jules Kabat, Rick was more like a brother than a partner. And to all of his colleagues and clients, Rick was a leader and mentor, setting standards to which others aspired, but few achieved. Rick was instrumental in renewing cities and skylines in his adopted home of Los Angeles as well as New York City, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Seattle, and many others in between. Rick was appreciated and respected by all who knew and worked with him for his loyalty, insight and the piercing humor he brought to every transaction, often lightening a tense negotiation with a deadpan joke. He loved his work and didn't stop practicing until forced to do so by his illness. Rick was always up for adventure and shared that with his family and friends, from telling his son, Joe, stories about trekking through the wilds of Borneo, Afghanistan, South America and the Himalayas, to skiing with family in Mammoth & Vail, to taking his brother and friends on a near death experience fly fishing on the Salmon River in Idaho. Rick treasured spending time with those he loved, including the many giant but gentle Bernese Mountain dogs Rick raised and showed over the years. Rick was also an avid baseball fan, never missing an opportunity to watch his Dodgers play and enjoy a few Dodger Dogs, especially if they were facing his childhood favorite Cubs. Born to his late parents Dee (née Weller) and Charles August in 1947, Rick is survived by the joy of his life, his son Joe August, and by his loving brother, Brett August. Rick will also be sorely missed by his soon-to-be daughter-in-law Callie Child, sister-in-law Dr. Carey August, niece Hillary August, his neighbors in Malibu, his partners, colleagues and clients, by friends around the world, and by his Bernese, Zuma and Shayna, that he loved so much. A private memorial service will be held. Donations may be made in Rick's memory to the Jewish National Fund or to Los Angeles Public Radio, KPCC.