I was very saddened to learn of Prof.  Kaler's passing.  He was a friend, mentor and teacher.  Some remembrances:
In the Fall of 1970, I took federal taxation 1, my first of many tax courses (all with Professor Kalter) at Pace.  On the first day of class, he asked who is Harold Kaplan and to stand up.  He then questioned me on why a non accounting major would take taxation.  I told him, I wanted to know about the subject.  He then said sit down.  He probably expected a class of only budding accountants since tax courses were reputed to be difficult.
I  learned that you don’t come unprepared to class.  Often, he asked unprepared students to exit the classroom.  I didn’t know it then, but his method of teaching caused me to evolve into someone very much like him.   Hard working and prepared.
He would select a federal tax regulation and dissect it word for word, teaching the class how to read it.  He did this with many regulations, and laid the groundwork for his students to become well versed in understanding regulations.
In the Spring of 1971, I took federal taxation 2 as well as state and municipal taxation, and knew exactly what to expect from Professor Kalter.  Be prepared for class, and you would learn.  A very reasonable proposition.
In the Summer of 1971, I took federal income tax.  By then, Professor Kalter and I were friends, and when I drove to Pace, I would also drive him home to Manhattan Beach.  I don’t remember the conversations in the car, but I am sure that they were enjoyable.  He always had that "smile".
When I applied to graduate school,  and then to law school, Professor Kalter was my key reference. 
While I practiced health law in South Florida, I had one NY wills, trust and estates case and I referred it to him, which he handled with amazing expertise.
Professor Kalter made a difference in my life and for that I am grateful he was my teacher.   He will always be remembered.
Harold E. Kaplan  7/14/20

Professor Kalter was one of the greatest teachers I ever had.   He gave his students a unique mix of in-depth tax knowledge along with the appreciation, skepticism and cynicism of some of our tax laws and judicial decisions.   I took 2 courses with him at the MBA program and, of course, I completed the research project.

Professor Kalter called me out of the blue one day to teach a course.  After one semester, I chose not to continue (how did he teach all those years?).  Later, we hired him as a legal advisor on an estate matter (and I’m glad we did).

I am very sorry to learn of his passing.

In the late 1970's I was fortunate to take Professor Kalter's survey of landmark tax cases as part of Pace's MBA- Tax program.  I got an A in the course, but a few years later when time came to get my Research paper approved so I could graduate, Professor Kalter balked.  He conceded I had done the research,  but the format didn't mirror Bittiker & Eustice.
I consider my convincing him to accept my paper one of the major accomplishments of my professional career. Years later he favored me with an offer to teach the survey course.  I accepted but only did it once.  I couldn't fill his shoes.  Will his memory be for a blessing? "Sure".

I was very sorry to hear of Al's passing. Al hired me as an adjunct professor at Lubin to teach graduate courses at Lubin in the late 1980's and continued to assign me classes until he retired. I joined the full-time Lubin faculty in 2012 when I retired from being Vice President-Tax at Unilever. I am very grateful to Al for bringing me on board at Lubin. I always heard great things about Al from my tax professor colleagues.

With my deepest sympathy,

Phil Cohen

OBITUARY

Albert Kalter

27 December, 1936 – 1 March, 2020

Boulevard-Riverside Chapels

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services