News of victim's death 'like being hit by a thunderbolt'

Michael R. McKenna, 58, was the target of the gunman who stormed into his law office Friday afternoon, police say. He specialized in patent, trademark and copyright law, and ran his solo practice out of office space he'd been renting for more than a decade from the intellectual property law firm Wood Phillips.

"He practiced on his own, but other than that, he was like one of us," said Richard Phillips, who has been with Wood Phillips for more than 50 years. "He was a good man."

McKenna was married to Suzanne Malec McKenna, deputy commissioner of natural resources and water quality for the City of Chicago's Environment Department. The couple moved to Edgewater about three years ago after buying a white frame Victorian house that they renovated. They have a young son, Jonah, and a friend said they have another child on the way.

Michael McKenna has three other children -- Matt, a Chicago Police officer, Warren and Amber -- from a previous marriage. His first wife, Pam, died unexpectedly a few weeks before her 50th birthday.

Neighbor Larry Pyrz said McKenna could often be spotted outside with his toddler son.

"He was always a smiling face," Pyrz said. "We're going to miss him."

Allen J. Hoover, 65, of Wilmette was also killed in the attack. Hoover, a partner at the firm, joined Wood Phillips about four years ago. He had extensive experience in trademarks and patents, serving as chief patent counsel for Chemetron Corporation and working as a patent attorney for Sunbeam. He and his wife of nearly 40 years own a log cabin in Berrien County, Mich.

Hoover lived in a picturesque two-story red brick house at the mouth of a cul-de-sac in a quiet, close-knit neighborhood where the neighbors keep lists of everyone's phone numbers for ready reference.

Neighbor Nathan Schloss, was stunned by the news. "I'm shocked. I can't imagine it. I can't imagine anyone coming in with a snub-nosed revolver and a hammer. ... I just can't believe it. It was like being hit by a thunderbolt," Schloss said.

The law firm identified Paul Goodson, 78, as another victim. The retired school teacher worked for Wood Phillips in the afternoons, distributing mail and handling deliveries. Goodson lived in a high-rise on North Sheridan Road. He was a native of Indiana and had worked for the firm for about seven years.

"He was always pleasant, very friendly," said Richard Phillips of Wood Phillips law firm, who believed Goodson wasn't married and had no children. "He was a hard worker and a very good fellow."

Slain attorney Michael McKenna's longtime paralegal, Ruth Zak Leib, 57, was recovering from a gunshot wound Friday night in her home in Oak Park, where she's lived for more than 20 years.

Leib, a mother of two, had worked for McKenna since 1993.

Contributing: Felicia Dechter, Sun-Times News Group