The GW School of Business (GWSB) community was saddened to learn of the death of Frederick Lindahl, associate professor of accountancy, who passed away this weekend. Dr. Lindahl had been a member of the GWSB faculty since 1993.
“Fred contributed so much — his loss will be felt by our students, his colleagues, the school and the university,” Dean Anuj Mehrotra said. “His family and loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers.”
“Fred Lindahl was a perfect gentleman, always kind and conscientious. His dedication to his students, his colleagues, his university and his profession was on display every day,” said Robin Tarpley, chair of the Accountancy Department. “He especially will be remembered as a true friend and mentor to our Ph.D. students.”
Dr. Lindahl earned an M.B.A. from Harvard and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. Prior to coming to GWSB, he taught at the Turku School of Economics in Finland; INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France; Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam; The Fuqua School of Business, Duke University; and Northeastern University. Dr. Lindahl was also a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Accounting and Public Policy and an audit manager for Price Waterhouse & Co. for six years.
A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Dr. Lindahl served his nation as an active duty pilot, flying fighter, transport and reconnaissance aircraft, achieving the rank of captain and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. Later, in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, he rose to the rank of colonel and earned the Legion of Merit.
He is the author of the following publications:
- “Accounting Quality in the Eastern EU after Communism” (with H. Schadéwitz), Journal of East-West Business, 2017
- “Financial Reporting Standards: Global or International?” with H. (Schadéwitz), Business Quest (B>Quest), March 2016
- “Are Legal Families Related to Financial Reporting Quality?” (with Hannu Schadéwitz), Abacus, June 2013
- “Did Auditors Need Reforming? The Need for SOX,” (with A. Fredriksson), The Finnish Journal of Business Economics, 2009
Dr. Lindahl is survived by his wife Elizabeth, daughters Virginia Lindahl and Kristine Lindahl-Currie, grandsons Benjamin Lecker and Nate and Noah Currie, and his sisters, Susan Costa and Dottie Guenther.
There will be a memorial service for Dr. Lindahl on November 10, 2018 from 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. at:
Everly Wheatley Funeral Home
1500 West Braddock Road
Alexandria, VA 22302
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to:
- The Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation
- The Shenandoah National Park Trust
- The Daedalians Foundation
There will also be a military honors ceremony for Dr. Lindahl on Thursday, April 18, 2019 from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at the Old Post Chapel in Fort Meyer, Virginia.
Fort Meyer Old Post Chapel
204 Lee Ave
Fort Myer, VA 22211
- 8:15 a.m. - Arrival
- 9:00–9:20 a.m. - Service at the Old Post Chapel
- 9:20 a.m. - Procession to gravesite, followed by ceremony at gravesite
- 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. - Brunch at the officers’ club on base at Fort Myer, including guests sharing remembrances and stories
All adults entering the grounds will need a valid photo ID — either a driver’s license or a military ID. Those without military ID may be directed to the search area for vehicle inspection. Time schedules will be strictly enforced, so please allow time for the possibility of a random car search. Please arrive at Hatfield Gate at 8:15 a.m. If you are planning on using Lyft or Uber to Fort Meyer, please text or email Liz Lindahl. These services are only allowed to drop off passengers just inside Hatfield Gate, so there will need to be additional arrangements for transport from the guard station to Old Post Chapel.