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A Commitment to Lasting Impact

The Vision and Generosity Behind the Frick Initiatives.

Meet Bob and Barbara Frick

Bob and Barbara Frick

 

Robert (“Bob”) grew up in St. Louis and earned his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from McKelvey School of Engineering and his Master of Business Administration from Olin Business School. After graduating with his MBA in 1962, he joined the Army as a second lieutenant and resigned as a captain and company commander after eight years in the reserves. He joined Bank of America shortly after graduation and held various positions in San Francisco, Tokyo and London, including as chief financial officer. In 1984, he was named vice chairman of the board of directors of Bank of America Corp., heading its World Banking Division. Bob retired in 1988 to pursue new interests, including venture capital investment, where he served on the boards of directors of 22 public, startup and nonprofit companies over a period of 25 years. Bob and his wife, Barbara, then started a real estate development focused on low- to moderate-income housing.
 

Also a native of St. Louis, Barbara earned a Bachelor of Science in education from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree from San Jose State University. A former teacher at the high school and collegiate levels, she has been actively involved for many years in her church, Webster Groves High School, Habitat for Humanity and a local grade school in a diverse community. Barbara was the major impetus in their real estate activities in the San Francisco and Sacramento areas, which focused on low- to moderate-income rental housing. The couple created quality neighborhoods and provided extensive services for residents, including English as a second language, swim lessons, job preparation programs, low-cost food resources, Head Start on-site and tutoring. Their work was guided by the belief that positive social impact and financial success could go hand in hand. Barbara received many awards from HUD and local housing authorities for her work.

Bob has held numerous roles serving the university, including as chair of the San Francisco Eliot Society Membership Committee and a member of the San Francisco Regional Cabinet. He is also a member of the Olin National Council and an honorary emeritus trustee on the Board of Trustees. Barbara and Bob have been generous supporters of the university. They have also supported the Robert & Barbara Frick Professorship of Business, the Robert and Barbara Frick Forum and the Robert and Barbara Frick Commons. The Fricks are loyal scholarship supporters of Olin Business School. In 2022, they established the Frick Initiatives to engage diverse audiences in spirited dialogue and applied research on issues central to a thriving society, including civil discourse, free and open markets, free speech and personal responsibility. In 2026, they made a transformative commitment to permanently endow the Frick Initiatives, for generations.

In honor of their leadership and support, Barbara and Bob received the Dean’s Medal in 2015. Bob was also recognized with a Business Distinguished Alumni Award in 1988, Founders Day Award in 2011 and San Francisco Regional Award in 2016.

Barbara and Bob are leadership supporters of the local Habitat for Humanity organization, and Bob served as a member of the board for eight years and as chair of the organization’s foundation board. Barbara is engaged with Webster Groves High School, and she and Bob recently helped the school rebuild the Frick Theater on its campus.

In addition, the Fricks have made time for various “adventure activities” in the past 25 years. Bob rode his bicycle across the United States three times, more than 3,000 miles each time, to raise money for Habitat for Humanity, plus several more 1,000-mile rides. They have also hiked Machu Picchu, Kilimanjaro and the base camp of Mount Everest; hiked and biked across England; completed the Tahoe Rim Trail; and more.