Nathan Baum started a law partnership with a handshake, said former partner Larry Gustafson.
The partnership worked so well that Gustafson named one of his sons after Baum.
“That’s a pretty good compliment, I’d say,” Gustafson said.
Baum died of kidney failure June 25 at his Denver home. He was 85.
A native of Denver, Baum was dedicated to Temple Emanuel, to which his parents, Mi chael and Rubie Baum, had belonged, to the Colorado Civil Air Patrol and to the law.
“He loved the law,” Emanuel Rabbi Steven Foster said. “He believed all issues could be settled through the law.”
Baum also loved the Constitution and Bill of Rights, said Foster. Foster recalled the time he preached a controversial sermon suggesting amnesty for those who didn’t serve in Vietnam.
Some in the congregation were furious and wanted something done about Foster.
But Baum, then on the synagogue executive committee, said “absolutely nothing” should be done about Foster because Americans have freedom of speech.
“He turned things around,” Foster said.
Nathan Baum was born April 19, 1921, and earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Colorado and his law degree at the University of Denver. He served in the Army.
He was a longtime member of the Colorado Civil Air Patrol, holding several offices, including legal officer, and was instrumental in founding the Colorado Civil Air Patrol Foundation.
Though he never flew because of bad eyesight, Baum was dedicated to the CAP and each year helped raise money for the foundation.
Baum helped found the Synagogue Council of Greater Denver and was a past member of the regional board of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations and on the board of Hebrew Union College and Rose Foundation.
Baum married Erma Sorenson Balderston on July 7, 1968. She survives him.
Other survivors include his brother, M.J. Baum, of Denver, stepdaughter Patricia Betts of Denver and granddaughter Christine Betts of Lakewood.
Staff writer Virginia Culver can be reached at vculver@denverpost.com or 303-820-1223.
