Charles Frederick Pohl

1958 - 2025

Charles Frederick Pohl
01/07/1958 - 06/02/2025
Charles Frederick Pohl, a global investment leader, husband, father and friend passed away peacefully on June 2, 2025, in San Francisco, CA, after living with ALS.
Born on January 7, 1958, in Philadelphia, to Harold F. Pohl and Jean Zimmerman Pohl, Charles grew up with an early love of learning. He enjoyed hearing his mom read him the nonfiction book, "The Sinking of the Bismark" and playing with his dog, Osprey, affectionately nicknamed Helen.
He and his family later moved to Cherry Hill, NJ, where he lived until his parents moved to Fairport, NY in his senior year of high school. He then attended Phillips Exeter Academy for one year, where he thrived as part of the school's intellectually rigorous community.
He earned both his bachelor's degree and MBA from the University of Chicago, an institution that not only shaped his intellect but remained a lifelong source of inspiration and community.
Charles began his investing career at Wells Fargo Investment Advisors, before joining Dodge & Cox, where he worked for the remainder of his career. He served as Chairman and Chief Investment Officer at Dodge & Cox, where he helped shape the firm's long-term, value-driven investment philosophy over more than three decades. Among his many contributions toward deepening the firm's equity and fixed income investment research capabilities, he was integral to starting the Dodge & Cox International and Emerging Market funds and initiated the firm's quantitative portfolio strategy group. Charles was a fiercely competitive and successful investor, but his true legacy at Dodge & Cox is the large group of people whom he trained and mentored. A proud "quant" at heart, despite leading a firm renowned for its fundamental analysis, Charles deeply valued both creativity and rigor, and he brought a rare mix of intellectual honesty and quiet humility to his work.
He is survived by his wife of almost 30 years, Eve Niquette; and their three daughters, Geneva, Charlotte, and Sophira, who were the center of his world. He also leaves behind the family's loyal dog, Jet.
He seamlessly transitioned from being an only child to embracing a large extended family, whom he cherished and always included in his travels.
Charles led with quiet strength. He was a kind man who chose his words carefully and always led by example. He met Eve skiing in Lake Tahoe, and adventure remained a theme of their life together. He traveled to more than 90 countries, and continued to explore the furthest corners of the globe even after his diagnosis - always returning with a gift in hand. He dreamt up grand adventures, from heli-skiing in Alaska for his 50th birthday to riding yaks in Tibet, and even traveling solo in India after he lost his ability to speak.
Among his favorite places in the world were the mountains of Big Sky, Montana, the vast wildlife reserves of Botswana and South Africa, and the medieval cities of Malta - but perhaps none more sacred than his reading chair in San Francisco, where he could quietly soak in the world, with Jet curled up beside him.
He was an early riser, often starting his day with a Coke and The Wall Street Journal. He loved seafood, apple pie, red wine, and port. He was a lifelong tennis player, and always aspired to improve his game, spending endless hours hitting groundstrokes and even seeking out a Florida-based coach to tune his serve.
He also enjoyed reading gripping crime novels and listening to The Eagles.
He was very proud to finish writing his book, The Professional's Guide to Long-Term Investing, which was published earlier this year, and he cherished the opportunity to share it with many friends through a series of book events.
Though ALS gradually took his ability to communicate and his mobility, it never touched his mind or spirit. He met the disease with dignity, courage, and humor, always staying grounded in love and the values that defined his life.
Charles will be remembered for his sharp intellect, lifelong curiosity, calm leadership, and unwavering love for his family. He was a mentor, a listener, and a thinker.
A celebration of Charles's life will be held on July 19, at 11 am, at Cavallo Point. All who knew and loved him are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in his memory to either the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, or to The Healey Center for ALS at Mass General. Please include a note that your gift is in memory of Charles Pohl.