John Fifield
John Fifield
A well known writer and author of fiction and non-fiction, john fifield has a lot to say about the world around him. Read on to learn about his life and career.
His family archive contains publications, audio recordings, memorabilia, photographs and films from the collections of his father the Rev. L. Wendell Fifield, and other family members.
Early Life and Education
john fifield was born in New York on July 24, 1920. He grew up and graduated from Newton (Massachusetts) High School.
He attended Colby College in Waterville, Maine and received a degree in arts. He then enlisted in the United States Navy and was commissioned an Ensign.
In his spare time, he liked to spend time with friends and family. He also enjoyed sailing, gardening, and exploring the world.
His tenacity and courage enabled him to tackle the sexual assault epidemic on college campuses. He founded Culture of Respect, an organization that aims to promote sexual safety and awareness.
Professional Career
John Fifield was an entrepreneur and a husband and father. He was known for his infectious laugh, Yankee sensibility, and constant encouragement to friends and family to explore life on their own terms.
His professional career focused on helping businesses grow and determine their strategic trajectory. He also established a new small business loan program for Citibank.
He was a management consultant and founded his own consulting firm. He enjoyed his work and had a deep interest in helping small businesses thrive.
He also teaches architecture. He has been recognized as a Distinguished Professor by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA). This designation recognizes sustained creative achievement and the advancement of architectural education through teaching, design, scholarship, research, and service. He will be presented with the award at ACSA’s 103rd Annual Meeting in Toronto later this year.
Achievements and Honors
Among the many honors Fifield has received over the years is the accolade of being one of just five collegiate professors in the nation to receive a distinguished teaching award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA). The ACSA Distinguished Teaching award, or DTA, honors a single university professor, faculty group, or department head for exceptional contributions to architectural education.
It was a close call between Fifield and a recent graduate of the UO Department of Architecture, and was an honor well deserved. Fifield is currently a professor of design and planning and director of the Housing Specialization Program. His most significant accomplishment is the development of the Department’s innovative and game changing Sustainable Design (SD) track. The SD track, now in its third year, is ranked first nationwide in sustainable design.
Personal Life
John Fifield was a passionate entrepreneur who focused on helping small businesses grow. He was known for his hearty laugh, his quick wit, and his love of good design.
During his professional career, John Fifield was involved in several projects that led to the creation of a new small business loan program. He also established a consulting firm that helped businesses grow and determine their strategic trajectory.
He enjoyed life and had many interests, including hunting, fishing, and boating. He also spent a lot of time learning survival techniques from his mentor, Ron Hood.
Net Worth
The former head of a real estate firm that once towered over the city, John Fifield lost a lot of money. His partners and lenders suffered losses that wiped out his personal net worth.
He owed banks and other creditors more than $30 million. He owned a lakefront home, a Colorado mountain property and a $1-million collection of American Impressionist paintings.
But the 46-year-old Chicago developer is back in the real estate business and trying to rebuild his fortune. He took a first step this fall, when his newly formed partnership bought the high-rise portion of the Civic Opera Building from a lender. His plans aren’t yet clear, but he appears to be on his way. He says he’s “reconciled” to his own fall from glory, with shoulder-length strawberry-blond hair.