Presents an obituary for Fred Edward Fiedler, who died June 8, 2017. Fiedler made four truly significant contributions to the field of psychology. First, he changed the way psychologists think about successful leadership. His book A Theory of Leadership Effectiveness (1967) provided the foundation for much of his later work. Second, at both the University of Illinois and the University of Washington, Fiedler had his own research building and facility. Third, he had an outstanding reputation. He was known around the world for his writing, lectures, and consulting work. He published over 100 journal articles and had numerous books and chapters in edited volumes. Finally, Fiedler left a huge personal legacy. He was always there to support his students. He provided financial support, advice, and technical assistance. He wrote letters of recommendation and made calls on their behalf. Generations of psychologists trace their academic lineage to him. (PsycINFO Database Record