Moster: This is not debatable: Arnold Loewy will be missed

My debate partner for over seven years, Professor Arnold Loewy, passed away in Lubbock on Monday (July 5).  Over the many years we sparred aggressively in the A-J column, “It’s Debatable." We often found ourselves on the opposite side of the political spectrum with extreme and albeit intractable positions.  The sparks would often fly in our animated discourse.

What many people did not know was our deep friendship, affection, and respect for each other. It was not a well-guarded secret and could often be gleaned from our content.  Arnold Loewy was one of my best friends and his loss has affected me profoundly. Readers of the “It’s Debatable” column are familiar with Arnold’s photograph and commanding presence given his stature as a law professor and attorney. 

My favorite picture, however (included here) was a Thanksgiving Lunch with Arnold, his lovely wife Judy, and our dear friends Dr. Donald May, and his wife Jane.  My daughter who bonded with Arnold on first sight, is peering into his eyes and not the least bit intimidated!  That was the Arnold very few people had the chance to experience.  He was a good and kind soul who deeply cared about people and the need for justice in the world.

Arnold was, of course, an amazing intellect and considered to be one of the top constitutional law experts in the country.  He told me not long ago that his tenure at Texas Tech Law School and Criminal Law Symposium were the high points of his academic life which was extensive.  He was beloved by his students for his dedication to their education and the practice of law.  I remember when he returned not long ago from cancer treatment at MD Anderson that he was concerned whether he had the stamina to complete the last few sessions of his Constitutional Law classes before he retired at Tech. I suggested that he focus on his recuperation and ask a colleague to complete the final classes.  Without hesitation he told me that his obligation and responsibility were not to himself but his students and that they were “counting on him” to complete the semester.  Arnold won that debate topic, for sure.

As the readers of our column are aware, Arnold and I were often on the opposite side of the big legal and political issues of the day, including abortion, states’ rights, big government, and most of the liberal agenda.  We would usually meet for lunch at the Texas Tech Club for a great meal and discussion of our next debate topic.  We would go through a list of potentials until we found a topic of sufficient interest and disagreement.  We would then debate our respective positions and legal authorities as if we were pitching our cases to the court but over dessert.  Arnold was often baffled by my positions and tried in his law professor manner to expose the fallacy of my argument or contradiction in classic Socratic style.  He was excellent at that. 

Occasionally, when unfurling a particular potent salvo in our debate, Arnold would call me with concern that he hurt my feelings. He once told me, that he felt badly about inflicting a debate “knockout” blow because I was “his friend."  I immediately told him not to worry because our friendship would endure. Besides,  it wasn’t me going down for the count anyway.  Arnold looked surprised and then smiled.  He liked that I was willing to take him on.

Regardless of the disagreement or sparks, we were the best of friends. We truly cared for each other and our families.  What this shows is that intellectual adversaries can assume extreme positions without losing their common bond, friendship, and humanity. I think everyone can agree whether they are on the left, right, or in between, that our country needs more of that.

More than losing my debate partner, I have lost my dear friend.  Lubbock has lost an incredible intellect and legal advocate.  That said, Arnold’s love of the law and his fundamental kindness will live on in his family, friends, colleagues, students, and the many people he touched through his work.          

It is not debatable that I will miss Arnold dearly.  We all will.

Charles Moster is a former litigation attorney in the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush presidential administrations who has offices in Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland/Odessa, Abilene and Georgetown.