Elder law pioneer Clifton Kruse dies at age 74

CliftonBryan Kruse, Jr., 74, passed away surrounded by his family on December30, 2008, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from Washburn University inTopeka, Kansas in 1956, and his graduate degree in theology from BostonUniversity in 1959, Mr. Kruse was awarded a Juris Doctorate Degree fromWashburn University School of Law in 1963. He was an ordained MethodistMinister and prison chaplain. A nationally acclaimed elder lawattorney, in 1956 Mr. Kruse was given the Colorado Bar Association’sAward of Merit, the highest honor given by the CBA for outstandingcontributions to the legal profession and the bar association. He was amember of the American Bar Association, Colorado Bar Association (VicePresident), El Paso County Bar Association Past President), NationalAcademy of Elder Law Attorneys (Past President and Fellow), and theAmerican College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He taught Business Law atthe University of Colorado at Colorado Springs for 27 years and taughtat the University of Denver School of Law.

Mr. Kruse lectured at seminars, symposiums and workshops throughoutthe country and authored many books and articles. Mr. Kruse was thefounding member of Kruse and Lynch, P.C. and specialized in thepreparation of wills, trusts, estate administration and elder law.

He had a passion for helping others, especially the elderly. Hisbook, “Selma’s Cat and Other Things That Matter,” is a collection ofessays pertaining to the concerns and experiences of senior citizens.

A memorial service was held Saturday, January 3, 2009, 1:00 P.M.at the Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Avenue, Colorado Springs.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Pikes PeakHospice, 825 E. Pikes Peak Avenue, Suite 600, Colorado Springs,Colorado 80903, or the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, 610Abbott Lane, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80905.

More info:  http://www.legacy.com/Gazette/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStoryPrint&PersonID=122107885

Note:  In an odd coincidence, my Aunt Lois was Clifton’s legal secretary for twenty five years–she started with him years and years before I even started law school.