Wednesday, May 02, 2018
Another death
I'm not sure if it is unusual, but I seem to know many people close to me who have committed suicide: In 2009, it was Mark Levy. Then it was my friend Greg Tishar. That same year, I lost my hero, Katherine Darmer. And this year, already, the tragic and horrible murder/ suicide by PS Ruckman.
Now, it seems that one of my former students here, Rita, died in March at age 31. I don't know the cause of death, but a news story reported that her body was found in the arboretum at St. John's University in Collegeville and that it was "likely" a suicide.
It is profoundly sad.
Rita was a great student, full of life and sharp as a whip. She took a few of my classes, and I was glad to see her in each, and I worked with her on an advocacy project. She did well in law school, and for the right reasons: she was both bright and emotionally engaged in the serious business of the law. She seemed to enjoy it, too.
After law school,things shifted around on her some, it seems. She worked as a defense lawyer for a while, but later wrote of challenges: "Right from law school, I went rogue and launched a disruptive law firm in criminal defense, the Good Old Boys Club's epicenter. My simple and stellar strategies allowed me to rise and shine despite the bullies in business." After a few years, though, it appears she left that behind and moved to Maui.
I saw her once in church, at First Covenant here in Minneapolis. She told me that she was moving from law into being a life coach for women lawyers. I tried to keep track of her, and sometimes found videos like this one:
She also wrote some books, under both the name Rita Johansen and the name Rita Berg.
And then she was gone. I don't know what happened between her move to Maui and her death in Minnesota. Whatever it was, it must have been very dark.
With each death, I feel like I understand life a little less, but appreciate it more.
Now, it seems that one of my former students here, Rita, died in March at age 31. I don't know the cause of death, but a news story reported that her body was found in the arboretum at St. John's University in Collegeville and that it was "likely" a suicide.
It is profoundly sad.
Rita was a great student, full of life and sharp as a whip. She took a few of my classes, and I was glad to see her in each, and I worked with her on an advocacy project. She did well in law school, and for the right reasons: she was both bright and emotionally engaged in the serious business of the law. She seemed to enjoy it, too.
After law school,things shifted around on her some, it seems. She worked as a defense lawyer for a while, but later wrote of challenges: "Right from law school, I went rogue and launched a disruptive law firm in criminal defense, the Good Old Boys Club's epicenter. My simple and stellar strategies allowed me to rise and shine despite the bullies in business." After a few years, though, it appears she left that behind and moved to Maui.
I saw her once in church, at First Covenant here in Minneapolis. She told me that she was moving from law into being a life coach for women lawyers. I tried to keep track of her, and sometimes found videos like this one:
She also wrote some books, under both the name Rita Johansen and the name Rita Berg.
And then she was gone. I don't know what happened between her move to Maui and her death in Minnesota. Whatever it was, it must have been very dark.
With each death, I feel like I understand life a little less, but appreciate it more.
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So very sad to hear of Rita's passing. One of those people who seemed to always have a positive energy emanating wherever she went. Glad to know that whatever pain she may have been struggling with is no longer.
Thanks for keeping this video, and part of Ms. Berg to access. Loving and empathetic people bear too much of the pain of the world.
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