In memoriam.

Donald L. Gursey, a longtime CalCPA member and 2000-01 CalCPA president, died Nov. 15 of pancreatic cancer. He was 71.

A co-founder of Gursey, Schneider & Co. LLP in Century City, Gursey's contributions to CalCPA and the profession were immeasurable. He was a change agent during a period of great transition for the organization, and over the years he helped to drive the Litigation Sections to its position of national prominence.

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"Don Gursey was a CPAs CPA, a protector of the profession. Whether it was on the Government Relations Committee, CPA-PAC, the Amicus Curiae Committee, as chair of the Litigation Section, chair of CalCPA or an outspoken AICPA Council member, Don was always a proponent of the CPA profession," says Nancy Chandler, CalCPA's 2002-03 chair. "I am grateful to have served in leadership with Don and to have learned valuable lessons from him."

During his career, Gursey held numerous leadership positions within CalCPA at the Los Angeles Chapter and state level. Gursey served as chair of the CalCPA Litigation Sections; director and chair of the CPA-PAC and Amicus Committee; and member of the Audit and Governmental Relations committees. Other activities included being appointed to the Family Law Advisory Commission to the California State Senate Subcommittee on Judicial Administration.

"Don was a unique and very special person. During our Litigation Steering Committee and CalCPA meetings, he always tried to do the right thing for the profession and its members," says Paul Regan, president and chair of Hemming Morse, Inc. and 2004-05 CalCPA chair.

"On a personal level he was inclusive, not only of those he had known for years, but of those new to the discussion or meeting."

Steve Wimmers, CalCPA's 2003-04 chair, has similar remembrances of Gursey's professionalism and dedication to CPA issues.

"He was able to deal with significant issues and face the pressure with a calm, fun-loving attitude," says Wimmers, a sole practitioner in San Diego. "Those of us who were fortunate enough to know him were better off for it."

After serving two years in the Armed Services, Gursey graduated from UCLA in 1960 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He opened his own practice in 1964 and practiced in the area of litigation services since 1970, specializing in family law matters. He merged his practice with Stan Schneider, a CPA who focused on tax and auditing, in 1979 to form Gursey, Schneider & Co. LLP.

He is survived by his wife, Marlene Burdman, and children, Darlene, Greg, Nicole and Kim.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, friends contribute to the Donald L. Gursey and Stanley B. Schneider Alumni Scholarship Fund at UCLA or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.