Clemens Erdahl - Lawyer, Dad, Traveler, City Councilor, and My Mentor (Episode #90, 15 Mar. 2022)

This episode is by far the most most meaningful RockneCast episode to me.  I interviewed Dr. Lillian Erdahl about her dad, Clemens Erdahl.   Clemens passed away suddenly at the age of 71 on October 2, 2019.  He wore many hats: a lawyer, a traveler, a dad, a mentor, a husband, an Iowa City councilor and a colorful story teller.  In life, I knew only Clemens.  He focused primarily on state and federal criminal defense at all levels: trial, appeals and post-convictions.  We worked on several cases together, and he taught me a lot about the practice of law.  When he died, I met his family members, and have been piecing together parts of his incredible life ever since. His daughter, Dr. Lillian Erdahl, a successful oncology surgeon at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, graciously accepted my invitation to be interviewed about her dad, Clemens.  We discussed his incredible life, his love of poetry, his philosophy, and what it was like growing up with Clemens as her dad.  Clemens was in many respects like a real life Atticus Finch, and it was such an honor to practice law with him.  He left us far too early. Clemens' early and sudden death impacted me greatly and was one of the major reasons I decided to start the RockneCast.   Life is short.  We must seize every moment that we have because we all have only so much time.  We never know when our number will be called.   Clemens left such a wonderful and inspiring legacy to every single life that he impacted.  I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know Clemens and that Dr. Erdahl took the time to be interviewed.  I would love to do another one with just her.  She is just as amazing and inspiring as her father!  This was a very rewarding interview.  You'll love this one!!