Frederick ‘Tad’ Stahl Remembered

Frederick Stahl

Renowned Boston architect and longtime Beacon Hill resident Frederick A. “Tad” Stahl died unexpectedly on July 26. He was 82.

Born in Danbury, Conn., Mr. Stahl was an alumnus of Dartmouth College, Harvard Graduate School of Design and MIT School of Architecture and Planning.

Mr Tad Stahl founded the architectural firm F.A. Stahl & Associates in 1961 and later served as executive architect of Burt Hill in Boston. During his career, he designed many city landmarks, including the State Street Bank building at 225 Franklin St., the Park Street Church Ministries building, and 70 Federal Street, which was (his personal favorite). He was also responsible for the restorations of Quincy Market, Old South Meeting House and the Talbot Building at Boston University, as well as the designs of more than 25 community libraries throughout Massachusetts. He received an honorary Doctorate of Collaborative Practice from Boston Architectural College in 2009, among other accolades for his career achievements.

“Tad was a consummate professional and universally respected architect without whom we wouldn’t have much of what is known as the ‘New Boston,’” said Bob O’Brien, executive director of the Downtown North Association. “He was a true gentleman and one of the most gracious men I’ve had the pleasure to know. In sum, he was a civic treasure and a cherished friend to countless individuals in Boston and beyond. He will be sorely missed and long remembered.”

A resident of Beacon Hill for more than 50 years, Mr. StahlTad served on the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) board of directors from 1963 and 1973, founding and chairing the organization’s Planning Committee in 1965. He returned to the Civic Association board around five years ago and served as co-chair of its Planning and Research Committee, which oversees institutional development and expansion plans in and around the neighborhood.

“Tad had a city-planning approach for looking at actions that could impact the Beacon Hill neighborhood… as well as an extensive and highly professional architectural background,” said Steve Young, chairman of the BHCA board. “On behalf of us all in the Beacon Hill neighborhood and at the Beacon Hill Civic Association, we’ll miss him dearly, and I will miss him personally.”

Joan Berndt, a longtime neighbor of Mr. Stahl’s and fellow BHCA director, said his deep knowledge of institutional planning gave him a “senior-statesman-like stature” on the Civic Association board.

“Tad was generous with his time and his advice,” Berndt wrote. “He had an excellent sense of humor, an inquisitive mind, a deep love of Beacon Hill and Boston, and an enduring work ethic. All of those traits contributed to his being a favorite neighbor, as well as a valued BHCA [director].”

Mr. StahlTad’s other civic contributions included work with Historic New England and the Boston Architectural College, where he served as a faculty member and on countless committees. HeTad was also an enthusiastic bass singer in the Apollo Club of Boston, which met weekly on Beacon Hill, following supper at the Paramount Restaurant on Charles Street.

Mr. StahlHe is survived by his wife Jane Moulton Stahl of Boston; his sons Matthew W. Stahl of London, Ontario, Nicholas F. M. Stahl of San Francisco, Calif., and daughter Isabelle Stahl Addison of Edmonton, AB; and his beloved nephew William M. “Skip” Stahl of Portland, Maine.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts in Mr. Stahl’sTad’s name may be made to the Boston Architecture College, 320 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02115. A gathering in celebration of his life will take place in Boston in September.