GARY W. FIEDLER

FIEDLER, GARY W. Sept. 15, 1944 to March 12, 2011 Gary W. Fiedler of Rancho Santa Fe, CA. "He was the best" - a successful businessman, voracious reader, golfer, devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. Gary was born in Elizabeth, NJ, to Werner and Rita Fiedler, and raised in upstate New York and New Jersey. After serving in the Army during Vietnam, he earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Carnegie Mellon University in 1969 and began his banking career in commercial lending at Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh. Known for his integrity, fearlessness, and intelligence, Gary possessed a rare combination of technical skill and affability that ensured his rapid rise within the banking field. He held senior positions at Mellon and Wells Fargo in London and First Interstate Bank of California before becoming Chairman and CEO of First Interstate Bank of Nevada in 1985. Later recruited to become CEO of Hogan Systems, Gary spent three years running the Dallas-based supplier of technology to banks before he was named Chairman, President, and CEO of Equimark Corporation in Pittsburgh in 1990. There, he was the driving force behind the development of an innovative recapitalization strategy that became a landmark in the banking industry and was subsequently used to stabilize troubled banks across the country. An astute and creative turnaround specialist, he continued to consult for a variety of financial and technology companies and also served on the boards of Interphase Corp. and WorldQuest. Colleagues remember him as a determined, natural leader with a strong moral compass, sly sense of humor, and outstanding analytical skills. Throughout his career he treasured the collegiality and friendship of his peers in the Young Presidents Organization and, later, the World Presidents Organization. A dedicated philanthropist, he also generously supported Chatham University as well as the undergraduate business school at his own alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University. In 1993, Gary retired early to become a private investor and advisor to business owners. He lived an active outdoor lifestyle in Wellington, Florida and Southern California, and enjoyed extensive travels with his wife, Joanne, family and friends. He cared deeply about his extended family, even becoming a dual Irish-American citizen to honor his ancestry. Always intellectually curious, Gary remained an avid consumer of books, newspapers, magazines and economics blogs. He especially relished spending time with family and friends, whether he was playing golf, hosting a dinner, or enjoying a glass of fine wine and a lively discussion of business and politics. He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Joanne Fiedler, son Eric Fiedler, daughter Kristen Kittscher, grand-daughters Sophia and Juliette Fiedler, mother Rita Fiedler, siblings Jeff, Marc, John, Christine and Bud; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws and dear friends who will deeply miss his warm, magnanimous spirit, his loyalty, sage advice, and his great sense of humor. He was, indeed, the best. Services are pending in Rancho Santa Fe and Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial contributions to Pro Kids Golf / The First Tee of San Diego, which provides through the game of golf education and character-building programs to inner city youth: Pro Kids Golf / The First Tee, 4085 52nd Street, San Diego, CA 92105. Tel: (619) 582 - 7884. Arrangements are by Alhiser-Comer Mortuary in Escondido.