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March 21, 1941 - July 17, 2000 On July 21, 2000, the leaders of the medical community, the legal community, friends, colleagues and family, over 600 in number, crowded into St. Mary's Church in Walnut Creek to mourn the death and celebrate the life of Richard E. Dodge, who died on July 17, 2000, after a 14 year battle with lymphocytic leukemia. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne, three children, and three grandchildren. After working with a firm in San Francisco upon graduation from Hastings College of the Law, he joined the Walnut Creek firm of Channell, McNamara & Lewis as an associate in 1968. He was promoted to partner in 1972, and remained with the firm until his death. A trial lawyer without equal, Mr. Dodge tried or arbitrated over 175 cases during his 34 years of practice. Noted for his intelligence, wit, charm and common sense, he honed his trial skills first in the local Municipal Court and thereafter in numerous trial courts throughout the state. He was recognized as one of the best medical malpractice defense attorneys in the State of California. He represented doctors and hospitals from the early 1970's and helped shape the current law under the MICRA Statutes. Additionally, his vigorous defense of Blood Banks in the 1970's and 80's successfully vindicated the Blood Banks from the onslaught of AIDS cases. Mr. Dodge also litigated the 1980's case of Molien v. Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, 27 Cal.3d 916, which established standards for the tort of negligent infliction of emotional distress for third parties in medical malpractice cases. When the case was tried, it resulted in a defense verdict. Despite the fact that he was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 1986, he continued to try cases up to the eve of his last chemotherapy visit. Throughout that time, he did not utter one complaint about his condition, but continued to do his job, be an example to his co-workers and enjoy the blessings of his family and friends. The chronology of events and accomplishments does not depict the true character of "Hobie" Dodge. To all who knew him, to all who had the pleasure of working with him or trying a case against him, he was a man of humor, wit, integrity and character. No one will ever know the countless number of people whom he and his wife helped when those individuals were down on their luck or in need of a helping hand. His house was known as "The Dodge Lodge". One never knew when you went to the house who or how many of his friends would be staying there. He was legendary for befriending the so-called "common person", i.e., the janitor, the shoe shine man, the elderly gentleman sitting outside of a courtroom, and treating them as if he had known them all his life. His sense of humor, his wit, his ability to encapsulate 45 minutes of testimony into a one or two line analysis was legendary, as was his lack of tolerance for pomposity and his ability to bring even the most egotistical individual down to earth with a simple quip. Although there are many stories of his courtroom antics, his trademark was his use of flipping four quarters through his fingers (which he learned as a casino worker while in law school) to distract opposing counsel, entertain courtroom personnel and mesmerize jurors. He will be missed in the courtroom. He will be missed in the office. He will be missed in the home. He will be missed in the hearts of his friends. As Mike Ney, Dick's partner of over 20 years said, "He was a gifted professional but seemed most comfortable wearing Levis and tennis shoes. He was awarded every meaningful honor for his accomplishments as a trial attorney, but was modest and unpretentious. He is now physically gone, but will forever remain in our hearts and minds." Robert M. Slattery |
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