Eugene Driker, 85, died Thursday, Sept. 29.
Born to Charles and Frances Driker, Eugene grew up in the Jewish community near Dexter and Davison in Detroit. He earned his B.S. iån mathematics from Wayne State University in 1959 and his law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 1961. After law school, Driker worked in the anti-trust division of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., from 1961 to 1964. In 1968, he and his partners founded Barris, Sott, Denn, & Driker PLLC in downtown Detroit.
“Eugene was a preeminent attorney, a lifelong and untiring advocate for his home city of Detroit, and a friend,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a released statement. “He served with distinction as a Wayne State University governor and spent every day working to enrich and uplift his community. Eugene’s achievements in urban affairs, law, arts, and culture leave a legacy for every Michigander to carry forward.”
Life-long Detroiter Driker was proud to serve as one of the mediators in the City of Detroit bankruptcy in 2013. The mediation team was made up of current or retired federal judges along with and Driker. They negotiated a resolution to the largest municipal bankruptcy in history.
“One of the reasons I threw myself into the bankruptcy so much was my own goal to make Detroit a place where my grandchildren would want to stay,” Driker told Wayne Law.
Driker’s two great loves were his family and his work. His contributions to cultural and philanthropic institutions and his dedication to the legal profession were matched by his heartfelt devotion to his family and friends.
Driker is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elaine Driker; children Elissa (Jay Zerwekh) Driker and Stephen (Jennifer) Driker; son-in-law Perry Ohren; and grandchildren Charlie, Caleb, Rebecca, Sophie, and Emma.
A funeral was held at Temple Emanu-El on Sunday, Oct. 2.
It is suggested that those who wish to further honor the memory of Driker may do so by making a contribution to:
• Eugene Driker Endowed Scholarship in Law at Wayne State University, 5475 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202; https://giving.wayne.edu/donate/driker.
• The Driker Family Fund for College Students at The Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002; 413-256-4900; https://www.yiddishbookcenter.org.
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