Professor of Law Emeritus John Peschel died on December 29, 2022, at the age of 87. During his nearly six decades in legal education, Peschel taught a number of tax courses as well as courses on property and trusts and estates. His expertise was reflected in Federal Taxation of Trusts, Grantors & Beneficiaries, a transactional analysis of trusts under federal estate, gift, income, and generation-skipping transfer taxes.
After Peschel joined NYU Law’s tenured faculty in 1978, he played a key role in the Law School’s governance. He chaired committees that produced two major reports—universally known by the shorthand of Peschel I and Peschel II—providing guidelines for the appointment of faculty and for faculty voting. He also served as associate dean of the JD division under former Dean Norman Redlich, and again on an interim basis under former Dean John Sexton.
Outside the Law School, Peschel was an active member of the American Bar Association and the New York City Bar. He served in leadership positions on the ABA Committee on Current Probate and Trust Decisions and Legislation for many years.
Born in 1935, Peschel earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota and his JD from the University of Michigan Law School. Prior to joining NYU Law, he worked at the law firm White & Case. He also taught at Tulane Law School for several years before returning to NYU Law.
“John was admired for his clarity of thought, his generosity, and his loyalty to his friends,” Dean Troy McKenzie said in announcing Peschel's passing. “He left an indelible mark on students and colleagues alike throughout his years at the Law School. He will be greatly missed.”
Posted January 30, 2023