Abner J. Mikva

Abner Joseph Mikva (January 21, 1926 – July 4, 2016) was an American judge, lawyer, academic and politician. He was a Democrat and of Jewish descent. He was known by many as an important liberal figure in Chicago and American politics. In later years, he was known for being a mentor to Barack Obama.
Mikva served as a U.S. Representative representing Illinois from 1969 through 1979. He was also a federal judge appointed by Jimmy Carter. He served as judge from 1979 through 1994. He later served as the White House Counsel for Bill Clinton serving from 1994 through 1995. He has also served as a law professor at Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois.
Mikva was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was raised in Chicago, Illinois. Mikva studied at the University of Chicago. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama on November 24, 2014. Mikva was married to Zorita Wise from 1948 until his death in 2016. They had three daughters.
Mikva died under hospice care in Chicago, Illinois from complications of bladder cancer on July 4, 2016, aged 90. He was also suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at the time of his death.