Alfred J. Olsen

1940 - 2018

Alfred J. Olsen

Phoenix - Alfred J. Olsen, was born October 5, 1940 in Good Samaritan Hospital, raised in Buckeye, Arizona and passed his final exams and graduated on February 25, 2018. Al was a tax attorney who was also a Board Certified Specialist in both Tax Law and Estate and Trust Law in addition to being a C.P.A. He was a native of Arizona and was admitted to practice law in Arizona and Illinois in 1966 and before the U.S. Tax Court and U.S. Supreme Court in 1970. He was educated at the University of Arizona (B.A. with distinction, 1962); Arizona State University (M.S, Accounting, 1964); and Northwestern University (J.D., 1966); and elected to the following honoraries; Phi Beta Kappa; Beta Gamma Sigma; Beta Alpha Psi; Phi Eta Sigma; Phi Theta Delta; and Phi Kappa Phi.

Al's activities have included: the American Bar Association, Section of Taxation; Committee on Agriculture, Chairman, 1976-78; Committee on Continuing Legal Education, Chairman, 1982-84; Section of Real Property Probate and Trust; State Bar of Arizona, Section of Taxation, Chairman 1977-78; Life Member of American Law Institute; and Central Arizona Estate Planning Council, President, 1972-73. Al is a Fellow in both the American College of Tax Counsel and the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel were he has been State Chair and a member of its Board of Regents. He was elected an Academician in the International Academy of Estate and Trust Law and served for several years on their Executive Council. In addition to his services to his profession, he served for many years on the Phoenix, Advisory Board of the Salvation Army and as Regent of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc.

Al was greatly involved in the Sigma Nu fraternity throughout his life. Al was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and a 1961 finalist for the All-Sigma Nu man of the year, served Epsilon Alpha as commander, chapter advisor and house corporation president before ascending to fraternity leadership roles at the national level. He served the fraternity as chairman of the jurisprudence committee from 1976-1982 and as a Trustee from 1978 until 1982. He incorporated Sigma Nu AGF, Inc., a tax exempt organization in 1979, served as Grand Commander from 1982-1986 and a Regent from 1986-1988. When he was elected to High Council in 1984 he became Regent Elect and assumed the helm of leadership in Sigma Nu for the 1986-88 biennium. Brother Olsen sparked the reorganization of divisions from sixty to sixteen in 1986, founded the Sigma Nu Brotherhood Award in 1988, and was elected to the Hall of Honor in 1996.

Al is co-author of a book and numerous articles on tax law, a frequent lecturer, and has served on the Board of Advisors for ALI-ABA Audio Estate Planner and The Practical Real Estate Lawyer. He is both a Certified Specialist in Estate and Trust Law and in Tax Law having served several years as Chairman of the Tax Advisory Commission, Arizona Board of Legal Specialization. He has been for many years rated as a AV® Preeminent™ lawyer and listed in Super Lawyers, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World, and for more than 30 years, Al as been listed in multiple categories in The Best Lawyers in America.

Al Olsen's life was guided by his commitment to his motto of "Live the Life of Love, Walk the Way of Honor, Serve in the Light of Truth." Both of his beloved parents, William Hans Olsen and Vera Bearden Olsen predeceased him. He is survived by his loving wife and tax partner, Susan Kimsey Smith, and will be remembered for his devotion to her, his faith, his compassionate commitment to his clients, his community and his matchless love and loyalty to all his employees and friends whom he truly viewed as family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at the Phoenix Country Club located at 2901 North 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85014.

In lieu of flowers Ms. Smith requests donations be made to the Salvation Army or your local foodbank in Al's name.