By Brian Ojanpa, Mankato Free Press

MANKATO — Robert Sheran, a former Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice and a Mankato attorney of regal bearing and statewide impact, died Wednesday at age 96 in the Twin Cities.

“There is absolutely no question that he was a master of the law. He knew the law like no one else,” said Mankato lawyer Scott Kelly of Farrish Johnson Law Office where Sheran worked nearly 20 years.

Sheran was appointed Chief Justice by Gov. Wendell Anderson and served from 1973 to 1981.

He previously served as an associate justice on the court from 1963 to 1970 after being appointed by Gov. Elmer L. Anderson. He is the only person to have been appointed to the state’s high court twice by different governors.

In 2007 the Waseca native was named one of the 100 most influential lawyers in state history by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine.

He worked as a special agent with the FBI from 1942-1945 and practiced law with Farrish Johnson from 1945-1963.

From 1947-1950 he served in the Minnesota House of Representatives, a political calling emulated by daughter Kathy Sheran of Mankato, a current state senator.

“He was absolutely brilliant,” Kelly said of Sheran’s courtroom demeanor, recalling a wrongful death case he and Sheran took after Sheran had retired from the bench.

Kelly said Sheran had a photographic memory and was able to retain complicated medical affidavits simply by recall. His deep, rich voice added to his imposing persona.

“When he talked, you listened.”

Farrish Johnson attorney Will Partridge said Sheran, with his lanky height and shock of silvery hair, did indeed look the part of a powerful barrister, though he wasn’t the type to lord it over anyone.

“He was a true gentleman, polite and gracious,” Partridge said. “His reputation was without equal.”

Sheran, who was a national debate champion in college and in his later years served as interim dean at Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, also was what might be termed a vicarious farmer.

Though he had no agricultural background, he bought farm acreage near Waseca in the 1950s and routinely reveled in its aura.

Waseca County farmer Jerry Stencel said his father began renting acreage from Sheran in the ‘50s and the Stencel family has been working it for three generations.

“Bob took pride in the farm and always came down a couple times a year, had lunch with us and looked over the farm.”

Stencel said when Sheran was a younger man he would show up at harvest time and ride the combine.

“It was just kind of a sideline he enjoyed. He was a true straight shooter. He called a spade a spade. He was one of a kind.”