In memoriam.

Kurt J. Fraenkel, a former CalCPA director, died May 30. He was 81.

A Lafayette-based CPA, Fraenkel was an active member of the profession at the national and state levels, and an advocate for CPAs in industry.

Fraenkel was instrumental in reviving, and was an active member of, CalCPA's Business and Industry Committee, and also served as CalCPA director from 1981-83; chair of the state Committee of Industry; and member of the Long Range Planning Committee and Nominating Committee.

"Kurt was always a champion of members in industry, both at the chapter and state level," says incoming CalCPA Chair Chris Yahng and fellow East Bay Chapter member. "He was at the forefront of fighting for membership benefits for CPAs in industry."

Fraenkel also held leadership roles with the California CPA Education Foundation, including trustee; treasurer; chair of the Foundation's Financial Management Certificate Program Task Force; member of the Finance, Audit and Compensation committees; and chair of the Industry CPE Advisory Committee.

At the local level, Fraenkel served as East Bay Chapter director, secretary, treasurer, vice president and president. He also was chair of the chapter's Industry Committee and Long Range Planning Task Force, and chair and member of several other committees from 1974 to the time of his death.

"Kurt's intelligence and high ethical standards were such an integral part of his personality, in both his professional and personal pursuits," says Don Glenn, of Walnut Creek-based Glenn & Dawson LLP, where Fraenkel served as a forensic CPA consultant. "He was always willing to teach those entering the profession, as well as those with years of experience."

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Fraenkel also was a member of the AICPA Council and various AICPA Management Accounting and Industry Executive committees and the AICPA's Planning Committee Controller's Workshop since 1998.

He also spent time in front of the classroom as a teacher for Diablo Valley College Evening Business Division from 1974-1992.

He received a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1953 and an MBA in 1955 from UC Berkeley and received his CPA license in 1957.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joanne; children Eric, Julie and Peter; daughters-in-law Laura Fraenkel and Cate Fraenkel; son-in-law John McEachin; and grandchildren Shannon, Cindy, Andrew, Nicolas, Shawn, Michaela and Megan; and nephew Eran Fraenkel.