The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) mourns the passing of Foundation Board member Frederick E. “Shad” Rowe. He died on October 25, 2024, at age 78.

“Shad was a model Board member, a great friend and a force of nature,” says Michael J. Fox in a Dallas Morning News story on Shad’s legacy. “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.”

Mr. Rowe was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1998 and joined MJFF’s Board of Directors in 2007. During his 17-year tenure, he leveraged his business expertise and contacts to raise funds for The Michael J. Fox Foundation, cohosting the annual Great Investors’ Best Ideas (GIBI) Symposium for more than a decade. The event elevated awareness of MJFF’s mission among some of the world’s leading investors.

“(Shad’s) brilliance in conceiving the Great Investors’ Best Ideas symposium to benefit the Foundation resulted in millions of dollars for research,” says Mr. Fox. “His generosity in connecting us to his broad and deep network across Texas and the country led to our meeting countless new supporters.”

Mr. Rowe built a career in the investment business and was well-connected with industry leaders in his home state of Texas and throughout the world. As a deeply engaged advisor and supporter of the Foundation, he generously spent time with the Foundation’s leadership team to make inroads with his ever-expanding network of connections. Mr. Rowe’s introduction to veteran journalist Joe Nocera led to the first think piece on the Foundation’s funding model, which appeared on the front page of The New York Times’ “Giving” section in fall 2008.

Mr. Rowe has imbued his family with his passion for philanthropy. This past September, Mr. Rowe and his wife Michele, along with their daughters, hosted an event in Dallas to update the local Parkinson’s community on MJFF’s ambitious research agenda.  

“Shad was curious, always calling with new ideas and smart questions. He was an unapologetic cheerleader — sharp-witted and bold,” says Debi Brooks, MJFF CEO and Co-Founder. “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.”  

About Shad Rowe

Frederick E. “Shad” Rowe founded Greenbrier Partners, a Dallas-based investment fund, in 1985.  Prior to founding Greenbrier Partners, Mr. Rowe was president of Rowe & Company, Inc. Investment Brokers / Bankers which he founded in 1978.

Mr. Rowe was a member of the Investment Committee at Texas Health Resources, a former trustee of the Employees Retirement System of Texas, and a former chair of the Texas Pension Review Board. In addition to co-founding the Great Investors' Best Ideas Foundation, he served as president of the Investors for Director Accountability Foundation, was a member of the Executive Committee of Texans for Lawsuit reform and was appointed member of the Dallas Police and Fire Pension Board.

A talented writer, Mr. Rowe's articles appeared in Forbes, Fortune, Barron's, Grant's Interest Rate Observer, Texas Monthly and D Magazine. His comments have appeared in The New York Times, Bloomberg Markets, The Wall Street Journal, The Dallas Morning News and on CNBC and Bloomberg Television.

Mr. Rowe graduated from Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas School of Business. He served as an officer in the United States Navy from 1968 to 1970.

Mr. Rowe is survived by his wife of 48 years, Michele, and their four children and 10 grandchildren.