Frederick W. Pierce IV, President and CEO of Pierce Education Properties, a leading national student housing investment and operating company, died suddenly and unexpectedly of cardiac arrest on June 11, 2024, at the age of 61. His beloved wife Christine was by his side. Fred was a generous, joyful person with a variety of interests and passions who was devoted to his family and deeply committed to bettering the lives of many people through his generous philanthropic gifts, especially to his alma mater, San Diego State University.Fred was born in Elmhurst, Illinois, to Fred and Diane Pierce. He attended Grenada Hills High School in the San Fernando area of Los Angeles and, after graduating, loaded up his yellow Fiat convertible and drove to San Diego State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in finance in 1984 and an MBA in real estate finance in 1988. Thus began his lifelong passionate support, volunteerism, and philanthropic relationship with the Aztecs. Another life-changing decision during that time was Fred's charter membership in the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Through the Beta Theta Pi Foundation and the Beta Theta Pi Alumni, San Diego region, Fred was always a loyal and active alumnus who cherished the friendship of several of his college fraternity brothers throughout his life. His belief in the benefits of fraternity and sorority life led him and Christine to gift the Pierce Greek Life Center so that Greek life can be enhanced and sustained for current and future Aztec students.Fred's early career included positions in finance and real estate for Los Angeles-based Platt Companies, Price Waterhouse, and KPMG Peat Marwick/Goodkin Group. Fred founded Pierce Education Properties in the mid-90's when his firm became master developer of the award-winning College Community Redevelopment Project at SDSU together with the SDSU Foundation. This project, which included Fraternity Row and student residence Piedra del Sol, took over 10 years to complete and led the way for SDSU's physical transformation. Fred's unflagging loyalty and commitment to SDSU never ended and only grew stronger. Among his SDSU Board memberships were the Campanile Foundation (SDSU's Philanthropic Foundation--to which Fred was Chair-Elect),the Fowler College of Business, the Alumni Association, the Aztec Club, and the Corky McMillan Center for Real Estate.He was twice awarded the prestigious "Monty" award (now the SDSU "Distinguished Alumni Award"). Fred and Christine also gifted multiple scholastic scholarships that assist current and future students who want to graduate from SDSU but need financial assistance to do so.Fred played a key role in the successful passage of Measure G, which allowed SDSU to purchase the land to establish SDSU Mission Valley and its first completed component, Snapdragon Stadium. As Jack McGrory, former Chair of the Campanile Foundation and current California State University Trustee stated, "There has been no bigger booster of SDSU than Fred Pierce. He was an essential part of our leadership team for Measure G for Mission Valley. His tireless efforts with the media helped lead us to victory." Fred was an avid and generous booster of SDSU Athletics: he and Christine enjoyed season tickets to Aztec football and basketball and traveled extensively to Bowl games, basketball tournaments, and NCAA March Madness games.Fred's expertise and philanthropy extended throughout the San Diego region, the state of California, and the country. Three times he was named one of "50 Influential Leaders in San Diego" by the San Diego Daily Transcript, and he was twice included among the "San Diego 500 Influential Business Leaders" by the San Diego Business Journal. He was president of the Board of Trustees of the City of San Diego's pension fund, where he met his future wife Christine, who was the chief operating officer for the pension fund. Fred received Ernst & Young's San Diego region "Entrepreneur of the Year" award for the Real Estate & Construction Industry. His company has earned numerous awards for its projects, including three "Gold Nugget Awards of Merit" from the Pacific Coast Builders Conference and the "Award of Excellence" as The Outstanding University Real Estate Project in the country from the Association of University Real Estate Officials. Fred was a Trustee Emeritus of the 23-campus California State University system. On the East Coast, Fred was proud to be a past chair and a member of the Board of Trustees of Franklin Pierce University, located in New Hampshire.Fred loved to travel! He and Christine, sometimes with other family members, traveled the world and experienced many exciting adventures in far-away lands. Other destinations were closer to home, such as Sonoma, where he became a valued Board member of the Sonoma State University's Wine Business Institute.Fred Pierce was one of those rare individuals who could truly be called a positive force of nature. He will long be remembered for his philanthropy, volunteerism, accomplishments, enthusiasm, tenacity, hearty laugh, and, most of all, his love of family and community. Fred once stated, "I didn't get involved for personal benefit, but the people I met through this volunteer work have become friends and business associates and have had a major impact on my life." Fred's family, friends, and all who knew him and whose lives he changed are deeply saddened by this tremendous loss.Fred is survived by his wife, Christine, his daughters, Peyton and Riley, his parents, Fred and Diane Pierce, his sister, Sue Stoddart, a niece, and a nephew.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to SDSU's Stadium Excellence Fund. Please contact Nick DiPaola,
[email protected]. The Pierce family is hosting a celebration of life Sunday, September 29th, 2:00pm, in Montezuma Hall at SDSU's ConradPrebys Aztec Student Union. For any questions, please
[email protected].
Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Jul. 14, 2024.