Michael S. Berman

BERMAN

MICHAEL S. BERMAN

Michael S Berman, 84, beloved husband of Debbie Cowan, died peacefully on January 12, 2024 after a brief illness. Michael, a Minnesota native, was a veritable Washington institution having served as Vice President Walter Mondale's Deputy Chief of Staff and Counsel and as a subsequent advisor to countless elected officials.

He began his career in private practice in Minnesota having earned both a Bachelor's Degree and a Law Degree from the University of Minnesota. His public service began in the Office of Attorney General for the State of Minnesota and he went on to serve in then Senator Mondale's Senate office as Counsel. When he left the White House he joined the law firm of Kilpatrick and Lockhart and later formed the Duberstein Group and became a successful lobbyist and advisor to many companies and organizations. He served on the Board of the Brady Campaign and was a lifelong advocate for gun safety as well as on the Board of the Children's Inn and the Human Rights Campaign where he was a stalwart champion of civil rights.

Michael's passion was politics and he practiced it with a depth of knowledge and an analysis of data unlike anyone else. His "Mike's Washington Watch" newsletter has been required reading for anyone interested in politics since 2007 with the most recent one â€" edition 213 because he counted them - published just a few weeks ago in December. His political acumen was usually prescient, but it was his restaurant and bathroom reviews that kept his readers laughing.

He was the scheduler for every Democratic Convention from 1968 to 2004, managing the podium and keeping politicians and speakers alike on track. His mentorship over the years of Democratic convention leadership was renowned. Generous with his time and his wisdom, Michael nurtured many careers of budding politicians and political operatives. If you wanted a job or advice in Washington, his office was the first stop for hundreds of people seeking meaningful careers in politics.

He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from his beloved University of Minnesota in 2010 and he gifted his extensive collection of political memorabilia to the University.

Mike was ruthlessly honest about his own life as well. In 2006, he wrote a book with Laurence Shames about his experience with his obesity called "Living Large: A Big Man's Idea on Weight, Success and Acceptance". It was a personal tale of his struggles with his own weight throughout his life.

Michael leaves a powerful legacy of service, friendship, kindness and loyalty. He was married for 42 years to his first wife, Carol Berman who passed away in 2007. He and Debbie Cowan were married in 2012. In addition, to Debbie, he is survived by their three children and their spouses Rachel and Dr Steven Feinleib, Ben and Jen Cowan and William Cowan and their four grandchildren and his two sisters Sheila Teitelbaun and Nance Alexander and a large community of friends and admirers. A memorial service will be held in the near future.