Fred Withum, accounting firm co-founder, dies at 84

Fred Withum, who cofounded WithumSmith+Brown in 1974 and helped shape the accounting firm into a national provider of advisory, tax and audit services, has died at the age of 84.

The firm, from which Withum retired in 1987, announced his passing on Oct. 8.

“From our early years as a firm, Fred was instrumental in instilling in us the importance of client service, integrity, growth and community service,” said Len Smith, who co-founded the firm with Withum along with Ivan Brown and Doug Sonier, in a statement. “These principles have stayed with us for over 40 years and have become the foundation for the Withum Way. Fred was a big believer in planning, and often reminded us of a quote from Lewis Carroll, ‘If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.'”

The firm said Withum strove to create a workplace culture that valued community outreach and work-life balance.

“Fred was passionate about involvement in outside activities and giving back to the community. He encouraged us to join and actively participate in charitable and professional organizations,” Brown said. “A strong proponent of family involvement, Fred also encouraged us to carve out time to watch and participate – via coaching and similar activities – in our children’s lives.”

Based in Princeton, WithumSmith+Brown also has offices in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Orlando, Fla.

Withum was a native of Milltown. He is survived by his wife, Marion Luchsinger Withum, of Killington, Vt.; his son, Dr. Frederick S. Withum III and wife Jacquie, of Carlisle, Pa.; his stepsons Frank and Mark Cassano, of Plymouth and Scott Cassano, of Kittery, Maine; his brother, Jack Withum, of Red Bank; six grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. Memorial contributions in Withum’s honor can be made to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, P.O. Box 1281, Quechee, Vt., 05059.