Note From the Editor: October 2026
This month, I have some sad news to share. Our friend and colleague, Charlie Ratner, passed away on Aug. 11, 2026, after a battle with cancer.
Charlie was the chair of the Trusts & Estates Insurance Committee. Fortunately for us, he took this position very seriously. He kept us on our toes by insisting that all proposed articles have a clear focus and explain complex concepts in a way readers would understand. His pet peeve was when he suspected that an author was trying to sell something. He could spot a “promotional” article from a mile away.
He was also a prolific writer himself, authoring many articles for both the print journal and the Estate Planner e-newsletter. His signature style was to structure the article from the perspective of an advisor meeting with a client. He would then take the reader through the client’s concerns and how the advisor could respond. He wasn’t shy about pointing out the flaws in how insurance agents and wealth managers typically communicate with their clients.
Like me, Charlie was a morning person, and we would frequently speak in the early hours to discuss a work-related issue, which would then evolve into us sharing what was happening in our personal lives.
I know that I, along with the rest of the Trusts & Estates team, will miss Charlie and the wisdom he shared with us.
