A Northeastern Indiana attorney known for his ability to quote literature died March 9 at the age of 53. Russell Strunk practiced litigation and employment law in Fort Wayne.

Strunk's former partners and an attorney with whom he recently shared office space remembered his love of literature and ability to quote from many authors, playwrights, and philosophers.

"He was a Shakespeare buff and quoted Shakespeare on occasion. He had a dramatic flair," said Mark Warsco, of Rothberg Logan and Warsco, who partnered with Strunk and Kate Brogan to form Warsco Brogan and Strunk in the 1990s.

Brogan, now of Eilbacher Fletcher, described him as a very well-read, literate person who was a great orator.

After leaving his firm in the late '90s, Strunk worked with Lincoln Financial for 10 years and recently began a professional association with the firm Holleran and Trexler.

"He was a brilliant attorney," said Brogan. "He was able to analyze a factual setting and make decisions on how to move the case toward whatever conclusion the law indicated would be supported, and he always knew how to do that."

Strunk grew up in Indianapolis and graduated from Indiana University School of Law in 1982. He is survived by his wife, Denise; son, Tyler; daughter, Kelly; brothers John Strunk, Mark Simon, and Glenn Simon; uncle Tom Strunk; and stepmother Marie Strunk.

A calling will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at D.O. McComb & Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home, 8325 Covington Road, Fort Wayne, with the service beginning at 7 p.m.