For anyone who had the fortune of knowing Stu Sobel at Tax Media Network, you will appreciate how I met him. Here was a man I had never met before that convinced me via phone to fly him to San Diego, CA, pay for his transportation and hotel, and spend a few days in the office with me. He was the consummate negotiator and the first stranger ever to negotiate with me to pick up his travel bills to spend two days sitting at my side at my desk.

When Stu stepped in the room to negotiate – you better watch out! 🙂 Stu was born a negotiator so you could never give him the right number the first time because he would still argue to negotiate with you for the sake of negotiating it. It was the negotiation more than anything else that thrilled Stu; so if you were close to Stu, you most likely have your own story about his negotiation skills and we would love to hear them, too!

When Stu called me this year to tell me he was sick and had less than 6 months to live, it was his way of saying goodbye to a friend. I was fortunate he brought me into his inner circle to discuss such life and death matters. The conversation broke my heart but I kept calm and did not let him know, although in reality he did. He had a way of making others feel special including when he was talking about his last days on earth. However, I know that Stu’s soul and energy will be here long after his passing this week. What an incredible man who shared his life journey educating everyone who wanted to listen; Stu touched so many people’s lives and hearts during his journey here on earth. Stu Sobel accepted his imminent passing with great courage and grace and this is another of the many lessons he taught me and certainly others who were fortunate to know him!

I was mesmerized listening to Stu’s stories working for the IRS more than 40 years ago and writing the tax code for the U.S. government. He wrote portions of the United States Tax Code and was an expert on non-profits, amongst other tax topics too numerous to mention. You could just sit there (though it is not easy for me to sit) and listen to these most incredible tax stories and journeys of the past with the old IRS guard. You can hear these stories in his educational videos still available at Tax Media Network. If I may share this one thought, and I do not know if it is still available, but he has an entire catalogue of his educational video he produced for sale. He was working with me on finding a buyer for the entire video catalogue of his life’s work educating others in an easy and informative down to earth style. His videos are an extraordinary body of work by a brilliant man who knew the IRS code in and out. I told Stu I would get the word out and will still do so after his passing. Stu has a way of making people accountable even when he is not around – he does know I am 100% reliable, too!

Stu was a sweetheart who talked endlessly about his wife, his children and grandchildren who he adored. He lived to care for his family which is a sign of a great man. His family was the jewel of his life. His family was fortunate to have such an outstanding man at their side; we know their hearts are broken by his passing as ours our, too. With his passing, I want to send him off with my favorite Native Indian Prayer and ask you to leave your comments or stories about Stu Sobel here. Your experiences with Stu Sobel and commentary are most appreciated.

Kat Jennings, TaxConnections CEO 858.999.0053

Native American Prayer
I give you this one thought to keep-
I am with you still, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush-
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone-
I am with you still – in each new dawn.
-Unknown

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTARY ON STU SOBEL BELOW