As a labor lawyer, Gerald Heaney represented the teacher’s association and helped make the Duluth school district the first in Minnesota to adopt the same pay scale for men and women. As a political figure, Heaney helped form the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. As a U.S. Circuit Court judge, Heaney authored or helped write opinions that led to the desegregation of schools in Little Rock, Ark.; Omaha, Neb.; and St. Louis.
The retired federal judge, longtime DFL party activist and decorated World War II hero has died at 92. Heaney’s son, William, said his father died Tuesday morning in Duluth.
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/172049/There was a great quote on MPR, and I didn't catch who said it but thought it was a wonderful tribute: "He was a friend to many who never knew him."