Acadiana lost another leader in the community this week. Al Lippman, 78, passed away in a Baton Rouge hospital. He had been ill, but no one expected that it was his time to go.

The well-respected attorney was known to many for so many reasons.

He was an A-rated lawyer who earned the admiration of his peers across the state.

He was a businessman known for his work helping to build Morgan City.

He was a political authority who called several governors friends and was on a first name basis with almost every important politician in the state. His influence was even felt as far the White House, when he was Vice Chairman of the George W. Bush Presidential Committee.

He was a generous donor who gave to numerous philanthropic causes and served on the board of the Community Foundation of Acadiana. He was someone who believed that it was better to give than to receive, and he passed that to along to his children.

I did not know Mr. Lippman for a long time. Mostly, I knew him as a family man. He was the father of a close friend and the grandfather of nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

If a man can be judged by how he treats his loved ones, then Mr. Lippman must be considered one fine human being. His daughters idolized him. His grandchildren adored him. His wife of 60 years relied on him and was always by his side.

I know one of Mr. Lippman’s daughters well. Karen is a friend of mine.  She is one of the most wonderful friends a person could have and she has many, many friends. It is her character that stands out the most – a sentiment I have heard expressed about her father quite often. It may be no small coincidence that she followed in his footsteps and became a lawyer.

I remember being invited to his home for parties for Karen and another for his granddaughter Ashleigh. Inevitably, we would all end up sitting at a table surrounding Mr. Lippman, listening to him recount his career, things he had done, fascinating people he knew. When he treated us to dinner one night, he was the ultimate gentleman to his wife, his daughter and his guests.

To me, that is the definition of success.

If a man can be judged by those he leaves behind, Mr. Lippman has nothing to fear. He has left behind a community and family who could not have loved him more and his character and kindness will be carried on by them.

Rest in Peace Mr. Lippman.

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