Gavin Spitzner loved the wealth management industry and the industry loved him.
Gavin was the founder of Wealth Consulting Partners and one of the industry’s most famous and beloved figures. He died Monday after battling acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which he was diagnosed with in September, his family said, leaving behind his wife, his three adult children, and the last few decades. Financial has left a heartbreaking community of his advisors that have impacted his career and life over the years.
Gavin started feeling ill last summer, but decided to attend the Wealth Management Festival in Huntington Beach last September. He wrote down his experience at the event so beautifully that I remember sending it to all his colleagues. Little did he know that this would be the last time he would see him. As the whirlwind of events took us in the opposite direction, we did a quick hello/bye. During the day, I was running around without being able to sit and talk to anyone. At nightly parties, one-on-one time was even more difficult.
A week later, Gavin made his illness public through a Sunday email blast that every leader in our business avidly reads each week. He was incredibly detailed in his explanation of things, how the treatment was progressing, and what he was thinking as he was battling the pain.
Gavin and I started an email pen pal relationship last fall. One of the things he looked forward to each week was watching CNBC’s halftime report every day. Usually from a hospital or from some bed while preparing for some examination or procedure or recovering. I knew he was watching, so I gave him a shout-out at the end of one episode instead of joining me in the show’s closing “Final Deal” segment. He told me his phone had exploded and people he hadn’t spoken to in a long time reached out.
The last time we wrote, he told me:
Between your appearances and posts, you continue to educate me, inspire me, and make me laugh (in a good way, not in the Joe Pesci Goodfellas way). you are helping me on my journey.
Speaking of appearances, your cnbc buddy Guy Adami got in touch today and we had a great chat.
Happy Hanukkah and all the best.
I replied to him, “I’m here if you need anything. Rest up for the next fight. All your friends are rooting for you.”
A three-sentence message sent from your cell phone while you are on the train or driving your child somewhere. If we had known it would be the last time we spoke, we probably would have said something more profound and meaningful, but life moves too fast without forcing us to be as intentional as we should be. There’s a way to go. And the next thing I heard, Gavin was gone.
For people like Gavin who stand for kindness and positivity and want the best for others, I would like to say that these ideas will never go away because they are eternal. Evidence. Gavin is Future Proof. What he expresses never goes out of style. He was generous, open-minded, thoughtful, knowledgeable, and caring. Those who knew him, learned from him, and were inspired by him will never forget who he was and how he made them feel.
I have to thank Mr. and Mrs. Gavin who I met along the way. Because that moment can be your last chance to show them how much you appreciate them. My deepest condolences to Gavin Spitzner’s close friends and family. Sorry.
Gavin is a husband, father, son, true friend and advocate of many in the industry.@gspitzner team of @AdvisorCircle & @RitholtzWealth Now and from now on, I’ll be by your side.
You are the proof of the future. 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/AfN26fq4zF
— Future Proof Festival (@FutureProofAC) September 17, 2022
Read this message from his family here:
Hello, this is Gavin’s family. We regret to inform you that he passed away on January 30, 2023 after a brief illness that he bravely fought. .
— Gavin Spitzner (@gspitzner) January 31, 2023