Robert M. Nalven

December 10, 1918 – July 3, 2012

Bob Nalven died July 3, 2012 in Sarasota, Florida. He was 93 years old.

Born in Queens, New York, Bob was the third of six brothers. In 1940 he graduated with a degree in Engineering from New York University where he competed as a member of the NYU track team. In 1942 he married Audrey Anne Fried, who remained his best friend until her death in 1970.

After working for twelve years at Combustion Engineering in New York, Bob moved to Sarasota in 1954 with his wife and three daughters. His father, Jacob, had purchased some land in Sarasota and asked Bob to head up the new venture. Desoto Lakes was the outcome, a small subdivision focused on turning raw land into sites suitable for building, with lots that wouldn’t flood and streets that were navigable. After two years as a developer, Bob realized that his first love was still engineering, and joined the independent new firm of Smally, Welford and Nalven. The consulting firm worked on such notable projects as Kensington Park, Bent Tree, The Meadows, and Palmer Ranch as well as innumerable city and county engineering projects. In addition, Bob spearheaded erosion projects and environmental assessments for the county. Bob was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the Naval Institute.

Noting that “in Sarasota there is no shortage of unpaid opportunities”, Bob turned his attention to civic work. He spent countless hours with the West Coast Symphony Orchestra, later serving as President. He was President of the Visiting Nurses Association and President of the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association. While he very much loved the small community Sarasota was when he moved here, he fully embraced responsible growth and change. He served on Sarasota’s first environmental advisory committee and the Recreational Council,

helping to bring a public beach to Siesta Key. But perhaps his proudest achievement (or so he said) was serving as PTA President at Bay Haven and Sarasota High Schools, where his daughters attended school.

Bob was a voracious reader and an enthusiast of the English language. He wrote letters to the editor, to prime ministers of foreign countries, to authors of all kinds, and to people who interested him. He was witty and wise and warm, and we loved receiving our monthly packets of letters and articles and cartoons, festooned with handwritten observations and often hilarious commentary. Bob was a lover of icy martinis, football, flying his plane, travel and a good story.

Bob was proceeded in death by his wife, Audrey, his daughter Judy, and his parents, Jacob and Gertrude. He is survived by his daughters, Wendy Nalven and Amy Connell and their husbands, Richard Poulos and Dan Connell, his brothers, Lionel, David (Goldie), Daniel (Barbara) as well as five granddaughters, Emily Smith, Cara Hutchings (John), Lauren O’Neill (Patrick), Ashley Connell, Lindsay Connell and one great grandson, Owen O’Neill.

The family will hold a private graveside service and ask that any memorials be given to the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota, or the charity of your choice.