Samuel H. Tannebaum served the public accounting and financial services professions for over five decades and earned many accolades and honors along the way. Dedication to his clients, staff, colleagues, friends and family was his trademark. His belief that every individual should be treated with honesty, respect, loyalty, and dignity guided him throughout his long career. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1955 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with Special Distinction. After going into private practice in the 1960's, Mr. Tannebaum was a founding partner of Tannebaum Bindler & Co. of Dallas which he later merged with what is now Weaver & Tidwell LLC, one of the top 40 certified public accounting firms in the nation and the largest regional independent accounting firm in the Southwest.

Mr. Tannebaum was dedicated to service in both civic and professional organizations serving as treasurer of the Mental Health Association of Greater Dallas; past president and board member of the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Society of CPA's; past president of the Dallas Estate Planning Council; and council and board member of the Communities Foundation of Texas, the American Institute of CPA's and the Texas Society of CPA's. Mr. Tannebaum was very active with the NAEPC, serving as its national president from 1984 to 1985 and was awarded the Hartman Axley Lifetime Service award in 2005 in recognition of his many, many years of dedicated service to both the estate planning profession and the NAEPC. Without question, his dedication to his profession was admirable. Being a Certified Public Accountant and the responsibilities that came with that title and the hard work it required were his honor and pride; he truly loved his profession.

It is remembered by those who knew him well and called him friend, that Sam's idea of a good time was being surrounded by family and friends and doing what he loved most – going to South Padre Island, playing poker, playing with his grandchildren, and Rangers baseball. We are pleased that his wife, Nita Mae, and his children and grandchildren will accept this award on his behalf.