Carl M. Fredericks, a long-time resident of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, local business leader, and tireless supporter of the arts, passed peacefully at his home with friends at his side. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 33 years, Christina Fredericks. Carl was raised in Birmingham, Michigan, by his beloved parents, Rosalind C and Marshall M Fredericks. He attended Quarton Elementary School and went to high school at Cranbrook Schools, class of 1962. He studied Economics at Denison University, class of 1966, and went on to study International Finance at Columbia University Graduate School of Business Administration, earning his MBA in 1968. Carl served as an Instructor in Finance at the University of Florida from 1968 to 1970.
Carl began honing his Finance skills very early in life. He and his siblings would put on puppet shows for the neighborhood children, and Carl always would be the money man, issuing tickets and collecting fees. Carl began his business career in 1970 working for City National Bank of Detroit in their International Banking Department. He was primarily responsible for loans and relationships in Western Europe, including the United Kingdom and Scandinavia. Carl lived in London for several years and was the branch manager and COO of City National Bank’s London Branch. His career also included time in Copenhagen, Denmark, New York, NY, and Newport Beach, CA where he was Vice President of Investments at Westinghouse Credit.
In the 1980s Carl started his own investment banking firm in San Diego, named Fredericks & Associates, and became a staple of the local business community. Carl assisted many local companies secure capital to pursue their goals and left lasting impressions on those he assisted, many becoming life-long friends and colleagues. He was often referred to as the most networked person in San Diego, generous with his time and advice. He also served on various Boards of Directors including the Board of XATA Corporation for 1998 to 2011.
Carl had a deep and long-standing love of the Arts and Education, no doubt influenced at an early age by his father, Marshall M. Fredericks. As a teenager, Carl spent several summers in Scandinavia, which added to his appreciation of art and world view. His support of the arts included serving as a Member of the Advisory Board at the Marshall Fredericks Sculpture Museum at Saginaw Valley State University, which was created to protect and preserve his father’s legacy and noted works such as Spirit of Detroit, the Man and His Universe Fountain, and the Cleveland War Memorial. Carl was also proud to serve for many years as a Trustee at the Oceanside Museum of Art.
Carl dedicated substantial time to serving local educational institutions. This included several years as a Member, Dean’s Advisory Board at National University Business School, and Member, of the Dean’s Advisory Council, CHABSS at California State University San Marcos.
Carl and his wife Christina were married in 1985. Together they enjoyed travelling and spending time each year in Hawaii and Palm Desert, where Carl enjoyed many rounds of golf with friends from all over the world. Carl was a great son, husband, sibling, uncle, great uncle, colleague, and friend to many. He is survived by his twin brother Chris, and sisters Fran, Roz, and Suki and a number of nieces and nephews. He will be remembered for his intelligence, wit and generosity. Carl loved people and people loved him. He also loved to laugh, and make people laugh. In his family, Carl was affectionately known as the goofy uncle that the children all loved. Carl found humor everywhere, and he would not mind acknowledging that he could not pronounce his own name when he was very young, saying “Gabo” instead of Carl. It just may be that Carl was already beginning to craft humor for his family.
In keeping with Carl’s wishes, he and Christina will be laid to rest along-side his parents in a family plot in Michigan. In lieu of flowers, Carl’s family suggests a donation to the Marshall Fredericks Sculpture Museum at Saginaw Valley State University. A celebration of life will be arranged for a later date in San Diego and his many friends will be encouraged to attend and share memories of their times with Carl.