In Memoriam
Jeffrey M. Cheyne
1946 – 2016

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear colleague and friend Jeffrey Cheyne. Jeff passed away on July 5 after suffering a number of strokes in short succession. Jeff was a cherished member of Samuels Yoelin Kantor for 10 years. He was well known in the Pacific Northwest for his intellect and legal skills, a deep understanding of the complexities of trust and estate law and taxation, and his professionalism and contributions to the bar and community.

A celebration of life will be held at the Multnomah Athletic Club on Friday, July 22 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Additional details will follow.

Jeff joined the SYK team in July of 2006, practicing in the areas of estate, tax, business and real estate planning. Jeff was licensed to practice in California, Oregon and Washington. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oregon. Subsequently, he earned his J.D. and L.L.M. in Taxation from the University of San Diego.

While practicing in California, he was specially licensed as a Certified Tax Specialist. He was also licensed to practice before the United States Tax Court and represented clients in administrative appeals before the Internal Revenue Service.

During the 2005 Oregon Legislative session, he helped draft and coordinate the successful passage of revisions to the Oregon Inheritance Tax law. Jeff’s passion and keen intellect drove him to donate thousands of hours in working with numerous committees, testifying before state senators and representatives, and helping all Oregonians in his efforts to pass better estate and tax laws.  His sharp mind combined with his good nature and diplomacy made him a trusted source for anyone navigating the tricky waters of legislative reform.

Jeff was a valued and active member of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, the Portland Estate Planning Council, WealthCounsel, and the Oregon State Bar Taxation and Estate Administration sections.

His menagerie of animals also allowed him the opportunity to share his unstoppable reserves of kindness:  chickens, dogs, cats, raccoons, peacocks and even a skunk or two, were treated well while roaming his beautiful property in Sherwood.  It’s not often such a highly skilled lawyer will be called away from his busy desk to retrieve a wayward peacock, yet such stories were cherished by those who knew Jeff.

Jeff also maintained a prominent position in the community. He served on the Endowment Committee for the American Rhododendron Society. He is the Past President of the Tualatin Valley Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society and has served as a member of the procurement committee of OMSI. While in California he served on the board of managers of the Palomar YMCA, and was the chairman of the board of the Escondido Chamber of Commerce.

Jeff’s warmth, good humor, generosity – of both his time and tasty pastry treats for the office –  and razor sharp mind will be missed by all of us who were lucky to have him in our lives.

“To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die.”  Thomas W. Campbell