Michael Joel Kanz

Mike and I first met in Zelma Neal's second grade class at Harrison elementary school in East Chicago, IN. He invited me to his birthday party and a friendship was born that would last all through grade school and high school.
After Mike finished law school, he moved to the west coast and we became long-distance friends. We would write the craziest, zaniest letters to one another, trying to outdo each other in comedy and creativity. I think we both succeeded, but his letters to me left me rolling on the floor in stitches. He even wrote one in care of my place of business, which according to protocol was routed thru my boss. I don't know who my boss thought was nuttier--me or him.
The one thing I most admired about Mike was his absolute dedication in representing the poor and underserved. He was zealous and sincere advocate on their behalf. I was able to meet some of his clients during a visit to him in San Francisco. I was introduced as "the new lawyer from Indiana" (my job at the time was writing computer software). I knew just enough about the law to pull off the charade.

I will miss my old and life long friend.

I met Michael in 1981 and we were colleagues at (as it was then called) Fresno-Merced Counties Legal Services. We were also teammates on the office softball team and fellow owner/managers in the office fantasy baseball league. Michael was intensely committed to all these endeavors. As I shared at the celebration of Michael´s life, one of my favorite memories was he and Carolyn showing up at my house for the office Halloween party in thematically matching costumes (their theme was, I think, something like "bathing beauties") with Michael with a towel and wearing swimming trunks. What I´d forgotten was that he also performed a rap that he had composed (although that may have been at another Halloween party.) His performance was creative and intense, which also describes his approach to his work. As I said the other day, he was a wonderful combination of intensity and goofiness.

I´m sorry to hear of Michael´s passing. I was fascinated by his room filled with all types of music and his wired magazines that were laying around. I cleaned his house for several years. I remember hearing him root for his baseball team. He had boundless energy and love of sweets. His love for Olivia was very evident and he liked displaying her artwork from her younger days. He will be missed By family and friends. My heart felt condolences go out to Olivia and Carolyn. Warmly Brenda Carlee