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American Taxation Association |
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American Taxation Association |
The Sommerfeld Award was created by an ATA resolution in August, 1995, to remember one of the best in our profession. Ray touched the lives of many ATA members, but as the years go by,the ATA wants to ensure that others have some idea of who Ray was. To that end, the ATA created a page of memories of Ray. If you have memories to add to the collection, please send them to the ATA webmaster.
At its August meeting the ATA Board of Trustees approved the resolution appearing below concerning Prof. Ray M. Sommerfeld, who died in a drowning accident on Lake Travis outside Austin, TX on August 8, 1995. The ATA membership approved the resolution at its annual business meeting.
Inasmuch as Ray M. Sommerfeld was:
A founding member of the American Taxation Assn. (ATA),
The ATA's 1975-76 President, and
A leader in the creation of its journal
Inasmuch as Ray M. Sommerfeld was:
A leader in designing and building an academic discipline to prepare students for professional careers in taxation,
An innovator in designing a conceptual approach to teaching the intricate rules of taxation, and
A mentor to countless individuals
Inasmuch as Ray M. Sommerfeld was:
The first recipient of the ATA's Outstanding Tax Educator Award, named in his honor
The Board of Trustees and the membership of the ATA extend deepest sympathy to the Sommerfeld Family.
Adopted Orlando, Florida, August 14, 1995
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The Late Professor Ray M. Sommerfeld, 1933-1995
Biographical Information (Excerpts)
Ph.D, Economics, The University of Iowa, 1963
M.A., Accounting, The University of Iowa, 1957
B.S.C. with highest distinction, Commerce, The University of Iowa, 1956
C.P.A., Texas, 1959
Faculty member, The University of Texas at Austin, 1963--1976, 1978--1993
Holder of James L. Bayless/Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc. Chair in Business
Administration at the time of his retirement
Partner and National Director of Tax Education, Arthur Young & Company, Reston, VA, 1976--1978
Audit Officer, U.S. Air Force, 1957--1960
Jack G. Taylor Teaching Excellence Award, University of Texas at Austin, 1966
Graduate Business Council Teaching Excellence Awards, University of Texas at Austin, 1976, 1983, 1984
American Taxation Assn., Ray M. Sommerfeld Outstanding Educator Award (first recipient), 1993
American Accounting Assn., Outstanding Educator Award, 1994
American Accounting Assn., Vice President, 1982--1984, President Elect, 1985--1986, President, 1986--1987
American Taxation Assn., President, 1975--1976
Accounting Education Change Commission, member, 1989--1992
AICPA National Tax Education Steering Committee, member, 1977--1983
IRS Commissioner’s Advisory Committee, member, 1981--1982
Austin Chapter of Texas State Society of CPAs, President, 1975--1976
Faculty Senate, University of Texas at Austin, 1979--1981, 1986--1988
University Council, University of Texas at Austin, 1979--1981, 1986--1988
Co-author with Hershel M. Anderson and Horace R. Brock, Introduction to Taxation, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, various editions, beginning in 1969
Co-author with Hershel M. Anderson, Horace R. Brock, and John O. Everett, HBJ Federal Tax Course, three editions, beginning in 1984
Co-author with Silvia Madeo, Betty Jackson, and Ken Anderson, Concepts of Taxation, 1993
Co-author with G. Fred Streuling, Tax Research Techniques, AICPA, three editions, beginning in 1976
Federal Taxes and Management Decisions, various editions, beginning in 1974
Among his fifteen articles, “Taxation: Education’s Orphan,” The Journal of Accountancy 112, December 1966, pp. 38--44
Survived by spouse Barbara, daughters Andrea and Kristin, a grandson and a granddaughter