Stephen A. Lind

1941 - 2024

Stephen A. Lind
January 15, 1941 - February 15, 2024
Heaven shines brighter today. Stephen ("Steve") Anderson Lind passed away on February 15, in Austin, Texas. He was visiting his two grand nephews on the way to Florida to give a speech honoring the 50th anniversary of the University of Florida graduate tax program, which he helped to found. Steve was surrounded by his loving family: his niece Elisabeth Lind Dick and her sons Jamie Christen and Casey James. He was a resident of Palm Springs and Lake Tahoe, CA.

Steve was born in Petaluma, CA, to Christen Nissen Lind and Elizabeth Anderson Lind, both of whom passed away while Steve was still a teenager, leaving him to be raised by his grandmother, Josephine B. Gwinn, aka "Granny." Sadly, his older brother, Christen Nissen Lind Jr., died at the much-too-early age of 38. In addition to his niece and grand nephews, Steve is survived by his nephew-in-law, Andrew Dick, many cousins in Denmark, and countless friends whom he considered to be his extended family.

To most, Steve was more than a cherished friend; he was a counselor, advisor, and trusted confidante. One of the most sociable of people, he gathered friends from all over the country and from every walk of life. Steve was a master storyteller and had a marvelous sense of humor, intellect, compassion, and joie de vivre. He quickly became "social director" in every community where he lived. He was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and The Bohemian Club.

Steve graduated from Petaluma High School, received his B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, and earned his LL.M. in Taxation from New York University.

Steve served as a law professor at the University of San Francisco, Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Law at UC Law SF (formerly UC Hastings), and at the University of Florida in both its J.D. and LL.M. (taxation) programs. In his honor, the University of Florida has established the Stephen A. Lind Eminent Scholar Chair in Federal Taxation. He was devoted to his students, who said he was always well prepared. If any student came unprepared to class, Steve had an infectious, humorous way of needling that delivered the message, but endeared him to both victim and class.

Many students claimed that Steve and his class made a difference in their career trajectory; as a result, they became tax attorneys. Most of his career, he rose early to work on the numerous tax textbooks and treatises that he co-authored. His casebooks were used as standard texts by over 100 of the best law schools and his treatises are found in over 350 libraries throughout the US and abroad.

Steve loved to hike the mountains, especially in Lake Tahoe and Palm Springs. He always enjoyed a good cocktail, parties with friends, good food and wine, wooden boats, and all things Lake Tahoe. You always knew you'd find a fun gathering whenever you spotted his stunning, classic silver-blue car parked around the Lake.

Steve found passion in great books and films, was devout in his faith (he seldom missed early Sunday services) and was generous in his philanthropy. Among the many groups he served were The Tahoe Fund, The Tahoe Maritime Museum, The Lake Tahoe Concours d 'Elegance, the Palm Springs Opera Guild, and the Coachella Valley Wellness Foundation.

Steve's good works and good humor left an indelible mark on thousands. His enthusiasm for life, and his quiet counsel and friendship, will be profoundly missed by all who had the good fortune to have called him a friend.

Information regarding services will be forthcoming. In his memory, donations can be made to the UC San Diego Alzheimer's Research Fund number K3694-John M. (Jack) McKeown Alzheimer's Disease Award, Stephen A. Lind Eminent Scholar Chair in Federal Taxation through the University of Florida Foundation, The Tahoe Fund, or the Palm Springs Opera Guild of the Desert.