By Lewis Diuguid, Kansas City Star Editorial Board Columnist

A vastly diverse group of people crowded The Louis Memorial Chapel at 6830 Troost Ave. this morning to honor Allan Edward Abrams.

Abrams died Friday, Oct. 2 from injuries he suffered in a car crash. Abrams, 70, was memorialized by several speakers as a peace and justice giant in the Kansas City area and beyond.

He was remembered for his love for Israel and his insistence on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Abrams, a native of Kansas City, Kan., and a lawyer, also helped forge new bonds between Jews and Arabs in Kansas City and abroad. Abrams also worked to build bridges among whites and people of color.

Abrams was a frequent letter-writer and essayist for The Kansas City Star and other publications on peace and justice concerns. He served as a National Trustee for the National Conference for Community and Justice and was a regular at monthly Kansas City area Diversity Coalition meetings, which he helped start and continue through the Minority Museum, founded by Dr. David Shapiro.

Abrams was a faithful, committed soldier for justice and peace, who will be missed.