Lockhart, Greer Edwin of Minneapolis, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2021, just short of his 92nd birthday. Greer will be remembered as a faithful husband, a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and an excellent trial lawyer. Greer graduated from Southwest High School in 1947, where he quarterbacked the football team. His father Anthony, grandfather George and great-grandfather Samuel were all firemen in the Minneapolis Fire Department. Greer was the first in his family to obtain a college degree, graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1951. He then went on to get his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1953. Later Greer was an adjunct professor of trial practice at the Law School and was active in fund raising and other rolls as an alumnus. After a short stint in the military, Greer went to work for the law firm then named Richards, Montgomery, Cobb and Bassford (now known as Bassford Remele). He led the firm for many years as its President when it was called Bassford, Lockhart, Truesdell and Briggs. Greer was a very accomplished trial lawyer. He tried hundreds of cases in state and federal courts; in most he defended claims of medical malpractice and products liability. Greer was recognized for his work as a trial lawyer with admission to the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Trial Advocates. He worked tirelessly to improve his profession, serving on the Minnesota Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board, and serving many roles in the Minnesota, Hennepin County and American Bar Associations. At his law firm Greer is remembered for mentoring many excellent trial lawyers who succeeded him. In a 2007 publication of Minnesota Law & Politics Magazine, Greer was named one of Minnesota's one hundred most influential lawyers of all time. Two of Greer's most influential accomplishments as an advocate occurred outside of the state and federal courts. In the mid-1960's Greer co-chaired a committee of the Citizens League of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, which proposed the creation of a regional government body to guide development in the region. That study and later advocacy before the Minnesota Legislature led to the creation of the Metropolitan Council. In the 1970's, when the Rev. Dr. Jeanette Piccard became one of the first women ordained as an Episcopal priest, Greer successfully defended her in an Ecclesiastical Court against charges her ordination defied church law; as a result the Rev. Piccard's ordination was later recognized by the church and the priesthood was opened to other women. None of Greer's success would have been possible without his "partner" of 70 years, Mary Lou. The two traveled the world, played thousands of rounds of golf together and were a dedicated team to their church and community. Greer's "two favorite places on earth" were Bay Lake, MN and Mazatlan, Mexico, where he was most thrilled to entertain his 14 grandchildren. In addition to being a golfer with multiple holes-in-one, Greer was an avid skier and tennis player. Greer was preceded in death by his parents Anthony ("Milt") and Kathryn ("Brick") Lockhart, his wife of 70 years Mary Lou (MacLaughlin) Lockhart, and brother Thomas Lockhart. He is survived by his brother, Kay Lockhart, daughters Ann Watson (John) and Katy Bennewitz (Kelly), sons James Lockhart (Lynn Seymour) and Matthew Lockhart (Christie), 14 grandchildren (Liz, James, Charlie, Lindsay, Steve, Emily, Sarah, Erin, Jenny, Ian, Maddie, Allie, Libby and Bella) and 6 great grandchildren. A memorial service and celebration of Greer's life will be held when large gatherings are allowed. Memorials suggested to the University of Minnesota Law School or St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Minneapolis.

Published on March 7, 2021