We are saddened to announce the passing of Robert Spidell, founder of Spidell Publishing, Inc., who died on April 26 at the age of 91.
In 1975, Bob and his wife, Janet, founded Spidell Publishing in a vacant 7-Eleven store in Anaheim, California. From those humble beginnings, Bob became a pioneering force in California tax education and was affectionately known throughout the industry as “Mr. California Tax.” His work transformed how professionals across the state understood and applied complex tax laws.
Bob’s legacy includes:
- Making complex tax law understandable. Through his California Taxletter®, forms books, tax guides, and client letters, Bob had a unique gift for making the most complicated aspects of California tax law accessible and clear.
- Creating a vital tax education community. Spidell’s tax update seminars became the gold standard across the state, drawing thousands of tax professionals each fall to prepare for the new season and reconnect with colleagues.
- Fighting for fairness in taxation. A tireless advocate, Bob frequently met with state agencies and lawmakers. Among his most notable accomplishments was helping stop the Franchise Tax Board from taxing nonresident military personnel.
Bob was also a champion for women in the workplace. Under his leadership, Spidell Publishing was a place where talent and merit determined success. He promoted women to key roles, hired Gina Rodriquez as Sacramento Editor, sold the company to Lynn Freer, and mentored Renee Rodda, JD, now Senior Vice President of Tax and Accounting Education at CeriFi.
Bob and Janet believed strongly in giving back. Their generosity and civic engagement included:
- Investing in education. They established an endowment that helped create a state-of-the-art classroom/lab in the CSULB University Library, supporting hundreds of students with access to computers and resources. In recognition of their contributions, Bob and Janet were awarded honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees by the CSU Board of Trustees and Cal State Long Beach, where Bob earned his economics degree in 1965.
- Supporting local heritage. Bob and Janet volunteered at Mission San Juan Capistrano, where Bob served as a tour guide for fourth-grade students studying California history, and Janet, who died in 2016, cared for the mission’s iconic gardens.
We will miss Bob deeply — his humor, his passion, and his unwavering ability to make things happen. His legacy will continue to impact the tax profession and the lives of so many he inspired.
