Every now and then, you meet a person who affirms your faith in humankind. Peter Fugiel was that kind of man.
On Sunday, March 2, we lost our good friend and a veteran of the municipal bond industry. Throughout his illness, his concern for others never waned, not even at the very end.
“Peter made sense out of demographics, which became a centerpiece for his analysis of municipal finance and real estate trends in America.”
A frequent contributor to MuniNet Guide since 2008, Peter was an expert in the areas of demographics, housing, urban affairs, and fiscal policy. His opinions were backed by insights that were often unique, and sometimes contrarian, yet they always made sense when put into his words.
“Peter made sense out of demographics, which became a centerpiece for his analysis of municipal finance and real estate trends in America,” said Richard Ciccarone, co-owner and co-publisher of MuniNet Guide. “He was a mentor to many public finance and urban affairs enthusiasts, and a leader in his field.”
Widely respected for his municipal research, Peter was the recipient of many awards throughout his career. He began his love affair with municipal research at the Harris Bank in Chicago in the 1970s, later broadening his focus by becoming the first municipal housing analyst to be hired by Merrill Lynch. He spent over 20 years as a housing analyst for Nuveen Investments, where he specialized in housing development financings and mortgage pools in all regions of the country. He retired from Nuveen in 2002.
Peter earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, and held a Ph.D. in public financial management from Northern Illinois University, where he later returned as an instructor. He also held two university posts, at Sangamon State University in Springfield, Illinois and the City University of New York (CUNY) in the mid-1970s.
He is survived by his wife Mary, and two sons. “Peter was one of the best and most caring citizens I’ve ever seen,” Mary recalls. “I can only hope that his passion for justice and benevolence will touch our society, and that his devotion to God and his creatures will merit his reward.”
It has been a personal honor and privilege to work with Peter over the past few years. It has been an even higher honor to call him a friend. Peter will live on as an important part of the MuniNet legacy, and moreover, as a tribute to the good in humankind for all who were fortunate enough to know him.