Last week, a very good friend and mentor passed away. Bernie Baltic was an extraordinary person and an incredible supporter of freedom.

I first met Bernie nearly 25 years ago, when I was fighting against draft registration. He brought me to Cleveland to speak at the City Club. When months later I went to federal prison for my refusal to register for the draft, he sent letters, books, and articles of interest to me virtually every single day of the 5 and 1/2 months I was incarcerated. What’s more, he called my wife regularly to boost her spirits. He even sent beautiful books to my then 2-year-old daughter.

During this most trying time, Bernie was a constant presence, a steady supply of comfort and inspiration. Since then I’ve known no small number of others who can tell similar stories of his kindness and support when they faced their toughest trials.

Bernie and I became lifelong friends. Though, in some ways he was more of a mentor or father figure. When at various times I wasn’t sure what course to take next in my career, he and my Father were the two people I would call for counsel.

And on every cause for which I worked – helping Ron Paul, working on initiatives, campaigning for term limits, working to protect and expand the voter initiative process, etc. – Bernie was there to help. Any and every cause that advanced freedom could count on his support.

When I learned he had died, I called my oldest daughter, now 24-years old. She cried as we talked about the times he had visited and her memories of him.

It caused me to recall yet another memory of the kind of friend Bernie was. When she decided not to go to college, I was very down about it. When I shared my feelings of concern and disappointment with Bernie, he was – to my initial surprise – not at all understanding. Instead, he told me flat-out that I needed to get over it, and to support her decision. It was her life and her decision, he said. He reminded me that she was very bright and would make her way in the world just fine. Have a little faith. Of course, he was right.

Funny, it was the same wise counsel my own Father gave me. (Even though my Father had been deeply hurt by my not finishing college seemingly a millennium ago, when instead, I became immersed in politics.)

Bernie has meant so much to me, and to so many others. But he never sought recognition. Maybe that’s why so many of us in the freedom movement feel such a deep need to recognize him now. 

Bless you, Bernie.