Born in Walnut, In poor health., and rising up on a farm, Gerdes later made the transition from farmer to Tax Legal Professional, buying purchasers comparable to cities, counties, hospitals, faculty districts, universities, airports and not-for-profits all through the nation. 

One in every of his highest distinctions was receiving an award — thrice in his profession — as Finest Attorneys’ Houston Public Finance Lawyer of the Yr in 2012, 2016 and 2018.

His work enabled many entities to finance important infrastructure, hospitals and different initiatives.

“Steve was a pillar of the general public finance neighborhood, particularly in Texas, the place he was seen as a normal setter,” Michael Bartolotta, senior managing director of public finance at HilltopSecurities, mentioned of his colleague. 

“Issuers, bankers, and different legal professionals sought his counsel and opinion,” Bartolotta mentioned. “Steve had large bandwidth in so many areas of public finance and was instrumental in lots of main constructing and financing packages for purchasers.”

Bartolotta described Gerdes as a “large within the public finance neighborhood” whose affect can be felt for many years to return.

He mentioned his colleague was “at all times insightful and beneficiant along with his time.”

His spectacular instructional profession was highlighted by being named a bronze scholar in 1977 for being within the prime 3% of the Faculty of Agriculture on the College of Illinois, the place he graduated with a level in agricultural finance and accounting. He later turned a licensed public accountant.

Throughout faculty, whereas working along with his mentor Thomas Frey, Gerdes helped develop the accounting kinds for computing the change in monetary positions that had been utilized in agricultural banking for over 25 years.

Gerdes was later honored because the “Comeback Alumnus Visitor” by the Scholar Alumni Affiliation of the College of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and in 2004 obtained the ACES Award of Advantage in recognition of his excellent accomplishments, management and repair.

After his undergraduate research, Gerdes went on to Harvard Legislation Faculty, after scoring within the 99th percentile on the LSAT examination and incomes the perfect temporary within the Ames-Moot Court docket competitors.

Gerdes additionally turned an teacher for the Worldwide Tax Program at Harvard and obtained the 1980 Harold Sharper Achievement Award.

After commencement, he spent greater than 30 years working at Vinson & Elkins LLP in Houston, the place as a younger lawyer he labored on many alternative briefs, together with drafting a short with Marvin Okay. Collie, William M. Linden, and Clive Bode on a profitable matter earlier than the Supreme Court docket of the USA within the case of Farmar v. United States. 

After retiring from Vinson & Elkins as a accomplice, in 2012 he joined Bracewell LLP as a accomplice, retiring in 2021.

Energetic in varied skilled and civic organizations, Gerdes was a fellow of the American Faculty of Bond Counsel, a member of the Nationwide Affiliation of Bond Attorneys, and served as president of the Board of Trustees of the Vivian L. Smith Basis for Neurologic Analysis. 

Rising up on a farm, Gerdes was an avid donor to the Houston Livestock Present & Rodeo Truthful Calf Scramble Committee and Steer Public sale. He additionally contributed to the Bureau County Cattlemen’s Affiliation.

He remained an energetic member of his birthplace of Walnut, buying many farms and working a profitable constructing parts firm along with his uncle Larry Gerdes. 

Gerdes unfold his love of agriculture with younger individuals by mentoring college students and buddies with their Future Farmers of America initiatives, and the group’s Spring Tri-Membership affiliation that helps and mentors college students’ future agricultural careers.

In 2017, for his efforts within the agricultural trade, the FFA awarded him an honorary American FFA diploma at its Nationwide Conference. 

In 2022, the Spring Tri-Membership honored him for his a few years of assist of scholars and their agricultural training pursuits.

Gerdes is survived by his spouse, Julia Anne Gerdes; his mom, Bertie Lou Gerdes; his sister, Julie Gerdes Peterson and husband Kurt; nephews, Reid and Jake Peterson, and their households; stepsons, Chris Williams, John Williams and his spouse Autumn; in addition to many uncles, aunts and cousins.

A personal service was beforehand held for the household. 

The household respectfully requests that any memorial contributions be made by emailing [email protected]. 

Donations can be utilized in assist of enhancements to the Village of Walnut, Illinois, and ongoing agricultural training.