- Date Of Birth: April 13, 1931
- Date Of Death: January 5, 2019
- State: New York
Frederick A. Klingenstein, born in New York, NY on April 13, 1931 Departed on January 5, 2019 and resided in Rye, Frederick A. Klingenstein, esteemed financier and investment advisor, passed away on January 5, 2019 at the age of 87. Born and raised in New York City, Fred was the son of the late Esther and Joseph Klingenstein and loving brother of recently deceased John Klingenstein. He attended Deerfield Academy, Yale University, Harvard Business School and received a Doctor of Humane Letters from St. Lawrence University in 1986. Frederick was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Field Artillery from 1954 to 1956. In 1956, he joined Wertheim & Co., Inc., an investment firm co-founded by his father, Joseph Klingenstein.
Frederick became a General Partner of Wertheim & Co., Inc. in 1960 and served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1972 until 1986. Wertheim & Co., Inc. merged with the British merchant bank, Schroders plc in 1986 and Fred served as co-Chairman of Wertheim Schroder & Co., Inc. from 1986 until 1989. Along with his brother John and devoted partner Kenneth H. Fields, he formed Klingenstein, Fields & Co. Inc., a money management firm, in 1989 and served as Chairman until 2013. At the time of its founding he said “I don’t believe there are many organizations totally dedicated to providing investment services only to substantial individuals.” Mr. Klingenstein also has served as Director of a number of investment funds and publicly held companies including: former Director and Chairman of Pan-Holding Societe Anonyme Investment Trust; former Director of Pogo Producing Company and Falcon Seaboard Drilling Company, Exchange Oil & Gas Corporation, and Deltec International Limited.
He also served as Director and Chairman of Barber Oil Corporation. Frederick was also involved in securities industry organizations serving as Chairman of the Securities Industry Association Committee on Federal Legislation and its Committee on Money Management and Brokerage in addition to the Nominating Committee of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
Fred dedicated his life to helping others and enhancing their lives through his passion and dedication to education and medical research. Along with his beloved wife Sharon, Fred was a generous benefactor of Mount Sinai Medical Center where he served as Chairman of the Boards of Trustees from 1985 until 1995 and was also a trustee for nearly thirty years. During that time he established the Klingenstein Institute for Medical Science and a scholarship fund to honor his late father Joseph Klingenstein who also served as Chairman of the Boards of Trustees from 1962 to 1969.
Sharon and Fred were recipients of the Mount Sinai Noble Deeds Society Honorary Award, commemorating their extraordinary contributions, staunch commitment, and devoted generosity during their more than 40 years of service to Mount Sinai. Fred served since 1965 as a trustee of the American Museum of Natural History.
He also was a former trustee for St. Lawrence University, past president and Chairman Emeritus of Rye Country Day School and past Chairman of the Finance Committee of UJA-Federation of Jewish Philanthropies.
Fred was happiest when he was with his family in the Bahamas, the one place in the world where he could truly relax. One of his greatest pleasures was being on his boat and walking down a deserted beach with no other footsteps but his own. He named his boat Little Women as a tribute to the five most influential people in his life, his wife and four daughters. He was approachable, humble, wise, thoughtful and kind. His door was always open and his guidance was sought by many.
Fred was deeply devoted to his wonderful wife, Sharon, for 59 years who predeceased him in 2012. He was also recently predeceased by his loving brother John Klingenstein. He was the most awesome father of four daughters Kathy, Susan, Amy and Lucy and father-in-law of Robert Miller, Kenneth D. Pollinger and Brandon Sall. Adoring Poppy and Bumpa of Whitney, Parker, Daniel, Joseph, Matthew, Michael, Charlotte, Annabelle, Caroline, William and Samuel and great-grandfather to Jack and Sadie.
