Clint Schroeder ’55, Pioneer in Charitable Estate Planning, Dies at 89

Clinton A. Schroeder ’55, a lifelong leader and innovator in the field of charitable estate planning, died March 12 at his home in Edina, Minnesota. He was 89.

Hailing from west-central Minnesota, Schroeder graduated from Fergus Falls High School, where he was class president and salutatorian. At the University of Minnesota, he graduated from both the Carlson School of Business Administration and the Law School in 1955. He joined the Minneapolis-based firm of Gray Plant Mooty (now Lathrop GPM) in 1957; he remained a principal with the firm until 2016.

Schroeder was one of the nation’s leading authorities on tax law and philanthropy. According to the Minnesota Planned Giving Council, he was “legendary” for encouraging his clients to make charitable giving a central focus of their estate planning. “In helping others fulfill their charitable goals, he has greatly enriched our community,” the MPGC said. Indeed, when the organization created an honor to recognize its most accomplished members, it didn’t have to look far for a name or an inaugural recipient: The first annual MPGC Clint Schroeder Distinguished Service Award was presented, in 2008, to Clint Schroeder.

Schroeder was as dedicated to civic and community service as he was to the practice of law. To cite just a few examples: He served as board chair of the Minneapolis Foundation, the Fairview Healthcare System, and the Southdale YMCA, working in each of those roles to improve the lives of Minnesota children and families; was president of the Rotary Club of Minneapolis and its foundation; and helped lead the Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company, which insures attorneys for matters of professional responsibility and ethics. In 2002, Schroeder was presented the University of Minnesota’s Outstanding Achievement Award. He was a consistent donor to the Law School and a longtime member of the Lockhart Club Leadership Annual Giving Society. Not surprisingly, he included Minnesota Law in his estate plan.

“Clint was a great man and a true steward of our firm,” said Michael P. Sullivan ’96, a partner with Lathrop GPM. “He was committed to making this place better and always gave back more than he received. We are all lucky to have had him help set the tone around here for so many years. He genuinely cared about all of us.”

A memorial service will be planned for later this spring.