Arthur Cockfield, an internationally recognized tax scholar and highly respected law professor, died suddenly Sunday from an unsuspected heart condition.

“This is very hard and shocking news for all of us,” said Mark Walters, dean of the law school at Canada’s Queen’s University, which posted an in memoriam notice on its website. “His work on comparative and international tax law was truly innovative and extremely influential. He was a loyal and dedicated teacher who cared deeply for his students.”