Search by Name

Search by Name

Edward Halbach Obituary

Edward C. Halbach, Jr.

November 8,1931 - June 1, 2017

Edward C. Halbach, Jr. Professor emeritus (dean, 1966-75), School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley.

Professor Halbach was born in 1931 in Clinton, Iowa, and died a resident of Berkeley, California on June 1, 2017.

Professor Halbach and his wife were married in 1953 following their graduations from the University of Iowa, from which he received his Bachelor of Arts (Economics) and Juris Doctor degrees. Thereafter, he received his Master of Laws from Harvard University, and later an honorary LL.D. from the University of Redlands. A prolific scholar of tax, trusts and estates, Ed changed American law with his scholarship. His volume on the Prudent Investor Rule laid the foundations for legislation that served as the model for statutes adopted throughout the United States. With the American Law Institute he wrote the Restatement of Trusts, and with the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform Law he helped write laws that were adopted across the country. He started California Indian Legal Services, which eventually became the Native American Rights Foundation. As a teacher, he was known for his clarity and humor.

Professor Halbach served as president of The International Academy of Estate and Trust Law and as chair of the American Bar Association's Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law, as well as serving as the division director of that section's Probate and Trust Division. He was a member of the American College of Tax Counsel, the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, the American Law Institute (serving as an adviser on several of its projects) and the Uniform Law Commission's Joint Editorial Board for Uniform Trust and Estate Acts. His other long-term activities included being editor of the Estate Planning and California Probate Reporter and serving on the editorial board of Estate Planning Magazine. He also served on the governing board of California Continuing Education of the Bar and on the adjunct faculty of the University of Miami Graduate Estate Planning Program.

Professor Halbach received the Treat "Award for Excellence" (National College of Probate Judges), the Tweed "Award for Special Merit in Continuing Legal Education" (ALI/ABA), and the University of California's "U.C. Berkeley Citation" for extraordinary service to U.C. Berkeley. He held the A. James Casner Reporter's Chair of the American Law Institute, and later was selected as a member of the Estate Planning Hall of Fame (National Association of Estate Planning Councils). In 2010 he was recognized with Berkeley Law's Faculty Lifetime Achievement Award. During its presentation, he was described as a distinguished scholar, influential lawyer, and – not least by any means – "a man of good will and charm."

Named Dean of the law school in 1966 at age 34, Ed was not only the youngest dean in America, he also took the helm at a calamitous time in the United States and on the Berkeley campus. Facing intense student protests over the Vietnam War and other issues of the day, Ed relied on his bottomless store of goodwill and amazing calm to lead the law school. One alumnus credits Ed with keeping the law school together during that incredibly difficult time, describing Ed's guidance as follows: "Even in the most tumultuous days, Dean Halbach's basic decency and frankness prevailed. He will always be my ideal of a dean who was a gifted scholar, deft administrator and kind human being."

Ed combined a self-deprecating sense of humor with extraordinary analytical abilities. Equally important, he treated the faculty and the students like family. According to an alumnus, "Ed and his wife Jan welcomed even the bearded scruffies of the class of '74 into their home. He made us all feel like we were part of something bigger."

Although not an alumnus, he received the Boalt Hall Alum of the Year Award following his deanship, and former students and professional colleagues later endowed a chair in his honor the University of California, Berkeley "Boalt Hall" Law School.

Ed is survived by his wife of 63 years, Janet Halbach, five children, Kristin H. Field (Evan) of Windsor, California, Edward C. Halbach, III (Connie) of Winters, California, Kathleen H. Timpson (Al) of Pleasant Hill, California, Thomas E. Halbach (Claudia) of Berkeley, California, and Elaine H. Bryant (Joel) of Denver, Colorado, thirteen grandchildren, seven great grandchildren (with an eighth due the end of this month), a sister and one of his brothers.

Friends are invited to celebrate Ed's life on Saturday July 1st at 2:00 p.m. in the Stadium Club at Cal's Memorial Stadium.

Should anyone wish to make a donation in Ed's memory, three of his favorite donees are Boalt Hall, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jun. 23 to Jun. 24, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Edward Halbach

Not sure what to say?





3 Entries

John Parks

August 29, 2017

Although I was never one of Ed's students in a formal academic setting, I am an estate planning lawyer, and he was very helpful to me in that, about 27 years ago, he reviewed my estate planning forms, made several helpful suggestions, and contributed to my understanding of the relevant law. He was a wonderful and informative public speaker. My condolences and sympathies to his family.

Christine Hill

June 27, 2017

Ooie, I know how much you loved and admired your father. He sounds like he was an amazing person. My heart goes out to you and your family. Much love my friend.

Franchesca Callejo

June 24, 2017

I remember Ed Halbach as an inspiring professor and a kind person during my years at Boalt (76-79). I enjoyed my estates and trusts class with him as well as my work with him grading blue books for one of his Miami classes. Little did I know then that I would end up focusing on probate and elder law. His leadership in this area of the law was crucial to so many of the laws we now have that standardized such important concepts. I hope his family knows how much he will be missed and remembered by students like me

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results

Make a Donation
in Edward Halbach's name

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

Memorial Events
for Edward Halbach

Jul

1

Celebration of Life

2:00 p.m.

in the Stadium Club at Cal's Memorial Stadium

CA

How to support Edward's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Edward Halbach's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more