From his earliest days, F. Gilbert Bickel III, BSBA ’66, has understood the value of hard work. He watched his father and namesake, who graduated from the former Washington University School of Dental Medicine in 1935, work long hours as a dentist to provide exceptional service to his patients. That same kind of dedication and entrepreneurial spirit captured Bickel at a young age. He mowed lawns in his St. Louis neighborhood, eventually earning enough money to buy his own tractor lawn mower. As a teenager, he sold aluminum pots and pans, and taught golf and tennis at the local YMCA.
While a student at the university, he opened his first trading account. Fast-forward to today, and Bickel is senior vice president – investments at Wells Fargo Advisors.
Bickel had an “overpowering interest” in business and the stock market, and he always knew he would attend business school. With both his father and sister, Wanda Bickel, PhD, AB ’59, graduating from Washington University, there was no question where he would study.
“The institution was always in the back of my mind,” he says. “I had gone away the last three years of high school to Culver Military Academy [in Indiana], and my folks felt [that] since I went away for high school, I needed to be home for college.”
While a student at the university, he opened his first trading account. Fast-forward to today, and Bickel is senior vice president – investments at Wells Fargo Advisors, with a distinguished 47-year career in the financial services industry to his credit. Along the way, he has remained dedicated to the St. Louis business community and to the university that gave him a great start.
Making a name for himself
Bickel entered Washington University in the summer of 1962. The following spring, he met fellow freshman and future wife, Marty, on a blind date. They married one week after graduating from the university in 1966. Bickel earned a BSBA, while Marty earned a bachelor’s degree in history. Decades later, two of their five daughters would graduate from the university as well: Susan Bickel Desmond, MBA ’99, and Jennifer Bickel Bender, AB ’05.
Bickel continued his business education at Saint Louis University (SLU), where he attended evening classes. During the day, he worked at a local brokerage firm, Yates, Woods & Co. In less than a year, he made a name for himself at the firm, and at the age of 25, he was offered a job as the firm’s analyst.
In 1967, he joined E.F. Hutton as assistant branch manager. After earning a master’s degree in commerce from SLU in 1968, Bickel “spent the next few years soaking up the management side of the business.” Soon, his career skyrocketed.
He became assistant vice president at Bache & Co. in 1970, and then he joined Donelan-Phelps Investment Advisors Inc. as president. In 1980, he returned to E.F. Hutton as vice president and was later named vice president at Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. in 1988. He then served as senior vice president at Morgan Stanley, before taking on his current role as senior vice president – investments at Wells Fargo Advisors in 2011.
Serving the St. Louis community
While building his financial services career, Bickel made it a priority to assist and mentor would-be entrepreneurs. His passion for entrepreneurship led him to work as an angel investor for years, and in 2005, he co-founded St. Louis Arch Angels. The nonprofit consists of a group of like-minded individuals who provide financing to local startups with high growth potential. Since its launch, the organization has invested more than $30 million in 35 companies.
“It feels good to know you have impacted someone’s life. I believe if people are given the right guidance, they can turn their dreams into reality.”
—Gilbert Bickel III, BSBA ’66
“It’s so rewarding when someone says ‘I would not be in business without you,’” Bickel says. “It feels good to know you have impacted someone’s life. I believe if people are given the right guidance, they can turn their dreams into reality.”
Bickel has also held several positions in local government in the cities of Des Peres and Huntleigh, Mo., in St. Louis County, including public safety commissioner, alderman and as mayor of Huntleigh since 2002. He served as a member of the Missouri Governor’s Commission on Crime for several years, and he is a board member of Summit Marketing Group, the Center for Emerging Technologies, Sequoia Vaccines, Innovate St. Louis, and the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association.
Marty Bickel also is active in the community. She devotes a great deal of her time to the Saint Louis Art Museum as a trustee and docent chair.
Investing in students
Bickel describes Washington University as “a gem and a fabulous attribute for St. Louis,” and he and Marty are steadfast supporters. They are Danforth Circle Dean’s Level Members, Life Fellows of the William Greenleaf Eliot Society and Brookings Partners. They have been sponsors of the Scholars in Business Program since 1996.
“My life has always been about how I can help people do something that they may not be able to do otherwise. I just wish I could be around 50 years from now to see these students prosper and see what they give back.”
—Gilbert Bickel III
“The students at the university are on fire,” Bickel says. “They are thankful that someone has given them a scholarship so they can attend the university. My life has always been about how I can help people do something that they may not be able to do otherwise. I just wish I could be around 50 years from now to see these students prosper and see what they give back to society.”
Mahendra Gupta, dean of the Olin Business School and the Geraldine J. and Robert L. Virgil Professor of Accounting and Management, says: “The Bickels are true friends to the business school and the entire university community. Their scholarship support has helped many bright students reach their full potential. We deeply appreciate their generosity.”
The Bickels are generous with their time as well. Marty is a member of the Women’s Society and serves on the Scholarship and Awards Committee. Gil is a board member of the Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, a member of the Olin National Council, chair of the Danforth Circle Committee and a volunteer with Leading Together: The Campaign for Washington University. Over the years, he has held numerous leadership positions on the Alumni Board of Governors, the Olin Business School Alumni Association and the Eliot Society Executive Committee. In 2002, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award at Founders Day and the Olin Business School Distinguished Alumni Award three years later.
“Washington University is a family,” Bickel explains. “When a member of the family calls and asks for help, it’s really hard to say no. I don’t ask for anything back, but I get something back in return every time.”
Donna Robinson is senior associate director of development communications.
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