Bidding adieu to TEI mainstays.

• Author: McCormally, Timothy J.
• Position: Tax Executives Institute - Obituary

Spring is a time of commencements, as students at all levels finish their studies, give a nod of appreciation and thanks to their teachers and mentors, and then head off into the world. This year, spring was also the time for TEI to say goodbye to two stalwarts of the Institute. Both of these long-time members came from small chapters, though from opposites sides of country, and both left indelible marks on the TEI members they knew, and on the Institute itself. Their outsized contributions to TEI underscore the vitality of the Institute half way through its seventh decade.

Stan Robins of Arizona

Stan Robins, a mainstay of the Arizona Chapter died expectedly in mid-May following a short illness. Stan, who was Director of Taxes for CSK Auto, Inc, was the chapter's representative on the Institute Board of Directors and a former chapter president. Stan joined TEI in 1989 and served as the chapter's 1994-1995 president. During Stan's term as president, the chapter held numerous top-notch programs (including an all-day Federal Tax Planning Seminar) and hosted the Region IX (now VIII) Conference, which was held in Scottsdale. He attended numerous regional conferences and Institute-level educational programs.

More than anything, Stan was a one-person TEI promotion team. He mentored numerous members of the Arizona Chapter, helped organized countless meetings, and headed the chapter's hospitality committee in respect of the 2006 Annual Conference, which was held in Scottsdale. He was always thoughtful and courteous, and the other members of TEI staff and I were often the beneficiaries of Stan's hard work and uncommon grace. His joy of life and his love of TEI--exceeded, it seems, only by his devotion to his wife, Vivian--were palpable. His death is a loss to the chapter, the Institute, and all who knew and worked with Stan.

Upon learning of Stan's death, Dave Stevens of the Oregon Chapter wrote me that "while I have changed chapters, that had no impact on my respect and love for Stan. Stan indeed was a mentor to many and a staunch advocate of TEI." He continued:

"Stan served for several years as our Chapter's Employment chain He was a great resource for those in transition (as I have been in the past) and helped many through a difficult time.

Stan recruited me as an officer several years ago and got me connected to the TEI organization. Whatever good I or many others like me do for the TEI family is in large part attributable to his influence. I've...