DALLAS — Dallas investment manager and advocate for Parkinson’s disease research Frederick “Shad” Rowe died Friday of complications from cancer, according to his obituary.
Rowe, 78, the founder of Greenbrier Partners, suffered with Parkinson’s disease for 26 years and was a prolific fundraiser for research seeking to find a cure for the disease, including with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, where he served on the board of directors.
The actor remembered Rowe in a statement shared on his website.
“Shad was a model Board member, a great friend and a force of nature,” Fox said. “His profound commitment to philanthropy was an inspiration to me and to everyone who met him. He will be missed, but we’ll be grateful forever.”
“Shad was curious, always calling with new ideas and smart questions. He was an unapologetic cheerleader — sharp-witted and bold,” said Michael J. Fox Foundation CEO and co-founder Debi Brooks. “He shared our sense of urgency as someone living with Parkinson’s and he believed firmly that everyone should care about the work of The Michael J. Fox Foundation.”
Rowe attended St. Mark’s School of Texas and SMU and served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1970. He worked at the Dallas brokerage Schneider, Bernet & Hickman before he founded Rowe & Company in 1978 and Greenbrier Partners in 1985.
Outside of his work, he served as a trustee of the Employees Retirement System of Texas, chair of the Texas Pension Review Board, and as founder and president of the Investors for Director Accountability Foundation. He also served on the executive committee of Texans for Lawsuit Reform beginning in 1995.
He cohosted the Great Investors’ Best Ideas Symposium in Dallas from 2007 to 2018 as a fundraiser that raised millions for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
“(Shad’s) brilliance in conceiving the Great Investors’ Best Ideas symposium to benefit the Foundation resulted in millions of dollars for research,” Fox added. “His generosity in connecting us to his broad and deep network across Texas and the country led to our meeting countless new supporters.”
“His energy and abilities enlivened the best in all who loved and admired him,” his obituary reads. “The range of his interests was as remarkable as the passion that animated them.”
Rowe was also a prolific writer, with articles featured in Forbes, Fortune, Barron's, Grant's Interest Rate Observer, Texas Monthly and D Magazine.
He and his wife, Michele, have four children -- Frederick E. Rowe IV, Adam Rowe, Madeleine Rowe Riehl and Ginette Rowe Beecherl – and 10 grandchildren.
Funeral services for Rowe are set for 10 a.m. Nov. 4 at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church at 8011 Douglas Avenue.
