William J. Breen

William James (Bill) Breen passed away after a short illness on 11/30/2024 with his son and very dear friend and longtime editor Susie Stephenson at his side, listening to his beloved Special Consensus Bluegrass Band. Bill was Professor Emeritus of Finance at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University where he added to the body of knowledge in Financial Economics through his published work, his influence with his many colleagues and his mentorship of generations of MBA and PhD. Students. Bill also contributed to the practice of investment management as the founder of Financial Computer Services, Disciplined Investment Advisors, and Breen Financial Corporation, where he provided consulting and investment services to corporations and financial institutions, spanning nearly 50 years, and billions of dollars.

Bill was born in 1937 in Elgin, IL, and attended DeKalb High School, Dekalb, IL, where he graduated in 1955, excelling in Track, Football, and Mathematics. He graduated from Ripon College in 1959. While Track and Football receded to memory at Ripon, he continued to excel in Math, and he discovered a talent for Economics. Following graduation Bill attended the London School of Economics as a Rotary International Fellow, and he earned a PhD. In Econometrics from Cornell University in 1965. Bill was Assistant and Associate Professor of Economics at the Krannert School of Business, Purdue University from 1966 until 1970, and Associate Professor and Professor of Finance at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management from 1971 until 2002. At Kellogg, Bill served as Chairman of the Finance Department and Head of Doctoral Studies for the Kellogg School.

Perhaps owing to the quips of his students who wondered why someone who professed to understand how to outperform the market wasn’t actually doing this themselves, Bill began a parallel career providing consulting to the investment industry and ultimately the provision of discretionary investment services to large corporations, public pensions and large institutional investment organizations. Turns out he really did know what he was talking about.

Bill was an avid sailor, fly fisherman, and banjo player though he did not do these things simultaneously. Bill never met a dog he didn’t like, and the feeling was completely mutual. Even after the recent passing of his dear dog Maddie, Bill could be found in the lobby of the Mather in Evanston, treats in pocket, his little friends’ tails wagging.

A devoted husband and Father, Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years Mary Breen (nee Meehan), his son James (Pam), his grandchildren Margaret, and William, his step grandchildren MacKenzie (Kirt), Audrey (Bennett) and his brother Robert (Freda). He was proceeded in death by his daughter Erin (John) and his parents James and Dorothy.

In lieu of flowers, please get your favorite libation and raise a glass to a life well lived. If that’s not enough, please make a donation in his name to your favorite charity.