Funeral Details

Joel Flaum was a true gentleman, friend and a great lawyer and judge. He has my everlasting gratitude for introducing me to Jim Zagel setting me on a life course for which I will forever be grateful. In addition to his family and friends, Joel will be greatly missed by the Chicago legal community.

steve rosenberg

I had the honor to serve with Judge Flaum
at assistant United States attorneys.
under Jim Thompson .

During those times we became best friends.

An extraordinary lawyer and Judge , An outstanding U S Naval officer
and mentor to many. All of us that knew him will miss him
dearly.

His love for his country and his family and friends and to care for them
all were his goals in life.

He honored us with his support and advise and he can honor him
by serving others the way he did.

Sam Skinner

Joel was always part of my life and now part of happy, happy memories. Joel married my husband Jim and I in 1979 and knew my husband since their days sharing an office in the States Attorney's office together. So many funny stories the two of them shared and shared with us who loved them. Always laughter and so much trust and good will. To Delilah and the rest of the family, I know Jim would more eloquently express what Joel did, what he contributed and the wonderful man and Judge that he was over so many years. But the finest accolade I can think of a person is that he was one f the finest men I (we) knew. My good thoughts as you forward are with you. Peggy

Peggy Zagel

Over twenty years ago I had the honor of clerking for Judge Flaum on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a lifelong mentor and I will miss him greatly.

Anthony Casey

There are many ways to measure a life that leaves us. Perhaps the first way is the emptiness that appears as we attempt to accept the reality of the passing. Then there is the depth of a friendship that was true and caring, characterized by respect and shared values. Then comes the personality, warm to the core and gentle in its presence. And, of course, the lightness of humor which sometimes masked a brilliant mind.

Joel was all of those things to me and to all who knew him well. His was a life worthy of emulation, even as the void he left is deep. Joel touched us all in those special ways.

May his memory be eternal.

Judge Charles P. Kocoras

Charles Kocoras

Judge Flaum hired Candy Fabri and me to serve as his very first Law Clerks way back in January of 1975. I remember how excited he was - and we were- as I helped him with his robe and opened the Courtroom door on his very first day. I recall that his good friends Jim Thompson and Dan Weil were in the Courtroom that day.
Over the years Judge Flaum maintained friendships with his Law Clerks family and was always willing to provide help and counsel. He took his job seriously, but not himself - a humble man. He was a great person who has left a wonderful legacy.

Bill Coulson

Judge Flaum is a giant man, who always lifts others, including me, high on his shoulders. My privilege was to work as one of his clerks. He loved others,greeted everyone by name, asking about spouses. and children by name. He welcomed me as a family member and mentored me like a son. The Judge was a second father to me, and I loved him dearly. When I learned he passed, and I realized I won't be able to hear his unique voice calling my last name "Anderson" I cried , that night at home with Stephanie ( my wife) as I told her the judge passed. After his death, I wanted to text a goodbye to my dear friend on his cellphone. I believed he knew that l loved him as a second father. Now the day after his passing I'm getting that painful lump in my throat as I type this note to my friend, the Judge. Again Goodbye my friend. You will continue to live on in the good life and kindness that you inspired in others.

Mike ANderson

I met Joel Flaum soon after he had graduated from Northwestern University School of Law. We were destined to become friends, confidants and colleagues. My daughter had the honor of clerking for him. Joel enjoyed a successful legal career as a government lawyer and at an early age became an outstanding jurist. But these achievements alone are not Joel’s legacy. Joel was above all a kind, humble and caring human being, who on and off the bench enriched the lives of so many others. The whole package. He will be missed by so many.

Marvin Aspen

I met Joel in 1961. I had just commenced Northwestern Law School. He was about to enter a graduate program. We were in the Abbot Hall dining area. Two other students were loudly disparaging Negroes. Joel went to their table and admonished them in the strongest terms. He asked how they could become lawyers if they did not respect all people. I introduced myself and we shared a lifelong friendship.. I am devastated by his loss. Allison Davis

ALLISON DAVIS

I was a Assistant United States Attorney when Joel was the First Assistant United States Attorney. He was a one of the nicest person. Please accept my condolences on the passing of great person and a great judge. It was a honor and privilege to have known him and served under him.

James Murray

Sending love and prayers to the Flaum Family. Joel so cherished his family, and friends above all else. His smile, life lessons and spirit will remain in our minds and hearts forever. May he rest in peace.

Ann Williiams

I extend my deepest sympathies to the Flaum family.

I was a young Federal Defender staff attorney, just a few years out of law school, when I first encountered Judge Flaum, then a district court judge. That he was an excellent trial judge goes without saying. But what surprised me was that an individual coming to the bench after so many years as a highly-successful and highly-respected prosecutor would treat my clients and me with such unfailing kindness and respect. He treated everyone in his courtroom with dignity. He brought to the task of judging intelligence, skill, and compassion, and he balanced these not-always-compatible qualities as perfectly as anyone I have ever met.

Over the years I have sought Judge Flaum’s guidance on matters personal and professional, and the advice he gave me (which was invariably right) has had an enormous positive impact on my life and career. I was privileged to know him. And I was privileged, over almost the entire length of my career, to have him as a model of what a great judge and a great human being could be.

Joan Gottschall

Such a beautiful service and beautiful family.

HaMakom yenachem etchem betoch sha'ar aveiliei Tzion v'Yerushalayim!
May his memory be a blessing.
Lovingly,
Jessica

Jessica Schwarz

Dearest Delilah and Family
There could not have been a more perfect tribute to the man we all loved and admired so much, than that of today's service. From the first soaring notes of the Cantor's voice, to the final mourning ones, the interim remarks of the love, esteem,,and respect that Joel engendered in everyone who knew him , were clearly evident He was a brilliant jurist, wonderful husband and family man, and quite simply...a truly nice person.
We will each miss him in our individual ways, but my deepest feelings of sorrow are for you, Delilah, my very best of friends, You two were indeed, as the Rabbi said, the loves of each others's lives.
All my love
Kathleen

Kathleen Reynolds