PRE Community Mourns the Loss of Friend and Colleague Boyd Stofer
The Cornell community is mourning the loss of a beloved friend, accomplished alumnus and respected colleague in Boyd Stofer. Mr. Stofer passed away suddenly this week during a trip to Arizona. He was 62.
Mr. Stofer, a member of the Cornell Program in Real Estate Advisory Board, graduated from Cornell’s Engineering program in 1971 and later earned his MBA at Harvard Business School. Mr. Stofer had a remarkable career in real estate, most recently serving as Chairman and CEO of Marquette Real Estate Group, the holding company for United Properties, NorthMarq Real Estate Services, NorthMarq Capital and RJM Construction. After starting out with the Hines Interests in Houston and later joining United Properties, spearheading its development activities and building it into the largest brokerage and property management businesses in the Twin Cities, Mr. Stofer worked his way up to the pinnacle of the real estate development industry. In 1999, he received the President’s Award of Excellence from NAIOP, the organization’s highest individual award. In 2004, United Properties was named National Developer of the Year, also by NAIOP, the association’s highest company recognition.
Mr. Stofer was responsible for some of the most notable commercial developments in Minnesota, including Centennial Lakes, the Northland Executive Office Center, Southpoint Tower, Northland Plaza and the redevelopment of the Ford Center’s North Loop. He was instrumental in transforming of the Twin Cities into a dynamic and vibrant region. He also left an indelible legacy on the Twin Cities community, serving as a board member and leader with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities and the Trust for Public Land.
“Boyd was a great man and a valued member of our community and he will be dearly missed,” said David Funk, director of the Program in Real Estate, adding, “Our Advisory Board members often don’t realize the extent to which they are role models to our students and how much our students look up to them them. In Boyd I know that our students will continue to be inspired by what he accomplished professionally and more importantly, who he was as a person.” Boyd was a frequent speaker, active mentor, and insightful advisor to the Program, Funk noted, and had been scheduled in the Distinguished Speakers Series in Spring 2012.
The Cornell PRE extends it heartfelt condolences to the Stofer family and to Mr. Stofer’s large group of friends and loved ones.