Armin Ulrich Kuder

Armin Ulrich Kuder passed away on January 8, 2026, at his home in Berlin, Maryland. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Trossen, and her daughter, Meghan, son, Brendan, his children Carlyn, Keith and Eric, and his seven grandchildren.

Armin was born in a small town outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 14, 1935. He was the son of David Dennis and Ethel Rose (Strasburger) Kuder.

Armin was a prominent lawyer, with a 60-year legal career in Washington, D.C.. He was a founding partner of the highly regarded firm Kuder, Smollar, Friedman & Mihalik, PC.

Armin earned his A.B. from Lafayette College in 1956 and his LL.B. from Harvard Law School in 1959. He served in the U.S. Navy after law school. Armin initially intended to specialize in maritime law, but he became an "accidental family lawyer" due to frequent requests for help from friends. His expertise covered divorce, child custody, alimony, estate planning, and mental health law. Armin was consistently recognized as a top attorney, appearing in every edition of Best Lawyers in America and frequently featured in Washingtonian Magazine and the New York Times as a leading family lawyer.

Armin was a major figure in the Arthritis Foundation since 1973, serving as National Chair (1993–1994) and the first President of Arthritis and Rheumatism International, and was honored with the Charles B. Harding Award for Distinguished Service in 1994. He served as Chairman of the Clients' Security Fund of the District of Columbia Bar (1983–1991) and was a member of the D.C. Bar's disciplinary system hearing committee. He shared his expertise as an adjunct law professor at Catholic University. He served as Chairman of the Board for the Center for Marine Conservation (later renamed the Ocean Conservancy) the Hyde School in Bath, Maine, and National Health Agencies, National Capitol Area Council. Additionally, Armin served as a Member of the International Steering Committee of The Bone and Joint Decade out of Sweden, and he traveled around the world to support its mission.

Armin ran marathon races in his 60's, was an avid participant in a bocce league, and shared a love for travel and adventure with his wife, Peggy.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on April 24th at 3:00pm at The Vault at Capital One Hall in Tysons. Any donations to honor Armin's life can be made to the Arthritis Foundation: Donate to Arthritis Foundation.