Celebrating Professor Gerry Beyer: A Mentor from Afar

Today is the birthday of Professor Gerry Beyer, a distinguished figure in the field of estate planning and a personal source of inspiration for me. Despite not having met him in person or spoken to him directly, his impact on my writing and blogging over the past nearly 15 years has been profound.

Professor Beyer, currently the Governor Preston E. Smith Regents Professor of Law at Texas Tech University, is widely recognized for his substantial contributions to estate planning. His work includes numerous books and articles, such as a two-volume treatise on Texas wills law and the Wills, Trusts, and Estates volume of the Examples & Explanations series. His expertise and dedication have earned him a place in the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils' Estate Planning Hall of Fame.

Beyond his academic achievements, Professor Beyer is a highly sought-after lecturer, presenting at countless continuing legal education seminars and symposia across the nation. His commitment to education and mentorship is evident in his role as the Editor-in-Chief of the REPTL Reporter, the official journal of the Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. His dedication to the field and willingness to share his knowledge have been invaluable to me and many others in the legal community.

For nearly 15 years, Professor Beyer has encouraged my writing and blogging through our email correspondence, providing a steady stream of inspiration and support, whether I was writing on my old blog, "Future of the Federal Estate Tax," contributing to Forbes.com, or writing on my current website, "Wills, Trusts, Estates."

On this special day, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Professor Beyer. His work has not only enriched the field of estate planning but has also touched the lives of countless individuals, including mine. Happy Birthday, Professor Beyer!