By: Adam Myron
Published: February 2022
The ADR community and the community at large recently suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Theodore “Ted” Anthony Deckert at the age of 70. The Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, of which Ted was an active member, mourns his loss and wishes this month to use this space – typically dedicated to a robust discussion of topical ADR issues – to celebrate Ted’s life.
Born and raised in West Palm Beach, Ted was a product of Palm Beach County’s public school system, having graduated from Forest Hill High School before enrolling at the University of Florida. There, he earned his undergraduate and legal degrees before returning to Palm Beach County.
In 1976, Ted began his legal practice as a civil trial attorney, and in 2000, he became a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil & Family Mediator so that he could help people creatively make peace by resolving their legal disputes.
As a mediator, Ted was prolific, and dedicated much of his time to bettering our profession. Ted served on the Palm Beach Bar’s ADR Committee for many years (including as its Chair), he was a contributor to the First Inaugural Mediation Mentoring Academy, and he was a frequent contributor to the ADR Corner you’re reading right now.
And yet, Ted was so much more than the attorney and mediator we knew and loved. In 1983, Ted became a founding member of The Lord’s Place, an organization committed to ending the cycle of homelessness. His personal mantra was “embrace the journey,” and he loved travel and adventure. Whether it was hiking in remote areas of the country, rappelling down the side of the Comeau Building in West Palm Beach to raise funds for The Lord’s Place, or flying around on a water jetpack over the intracoastal alongside Flagler Drive, Ted took every opportunity he could to better not just his own life, but also the lives of those around him.
Ted’s legacy lives on through his wife of 19 years; his father; his three brothers, three children, stepson, and all their respective spouses; his four nephews; and his six grandchildren. His legacy also lives on through us. Ted, your absence is tremendously felt, but so is the positive impact you had on all of us. We will do our utmost to live up to your example.
Adam Myron is an attorney with the law firm of Cagnet Myron Law, P.A., where he focuses on complex civil litigation, including commercial and business litigation and trust & estate litigation. Adam is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Mediator and a Florida Qualified Arbitrator. You can email him at amyron@cagnetmyronlaw.com.