Death of Jerry Kasner

Jerry Kasner, a faculty member at Santa Clara for 38 years and a nationally-recognized estate planning authority, died at the age of 71. From the Santa Clara press release:

Jerry Allan Kasner, a renowned law school faculty member, passed away on October 21, 2004 in Grass Valley, California at the age of 71.

He was born in Des Moines Iowa, on March 20, 1933. Professor Kasner received his B.S. in 1955 and his J.D. in 1957, both from Drake University. He was admitted to the Iowa State Bar in 1957 and the California State Bar in 1959. He was a professor of law for 38 years at Santa Clara University’s School of Law, from 1961 – 1998. He was completely dedicated to his students and law professor colleagues. In 1996 he received Santa Clara University’s Award for Sustained Excellence in Scholarship. He also received a distinguished alumnus award from Drake University Law School. Santa Clara University Professor of Law, Father Paul Goda said, “Jerry’s collegiality exceeded his brilliance as a teacher and we will miss him greatly.”

Professor Kasner was an expert in tax law and spoke at professional seminars across the country. He was a CPA as well as a lawyer and a law professor, and taught continuing education classes for the California CPA Society’s Education Foundation for many years. He received the 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award from the California CPA Education Foundation and the California CPA Education Foundation’s Award for Meritorious Service in 1985. Because of his commitment to teaching and his expertise, the Silicon Valley San Jose Chapter of the California Society of CPAs renamed their scholarship award for an outstanding Santa Clara University senior accounting student the Jerry Kasner Scholarship.

Professor Kasner was known for his outstanding contributions to estate planning professionals and served as a mentor to many estate planners in Santa Clara County. He wrote many articles and publications on taxation, community property and estate planning. He authored numerous books on estate planning including The Tools and Techniques of Estate Planning and Guide to Practical Estate Planning. Professor Kasner was a participant in panels and lectures for the California Continuing Education of the Bar, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, New York University, the University of Miami and various other professional and educational institutions. According to Dean Donald J. Polden of Santa Clara University School of Law, “Jerry Kasner was the epitome of greatness in legal education. He was a scholar, a wonderful teacher and a distinguished community servant. He will be missed by all of us.”