A gathering to celebrate the life of Robert Theodore Nahas, 79, will be held in Oakland, Calif., on April 19.
Mr. Nahas, 79, died unexpectedly on Feb. 7, 2002 at his Palm Desert, Calif., home. His wife, Eva, of 58 years held him in her arms as he died.
Mr. Nahas was born in Milwaukee, Wisc., on Jan. 27, 1923 to Joseph Kahlil and Leila Blanche Nahas. The Great Depression shaped the strength of his character and his passion to succeed. In 1947, Bob Nahas founded the R. T. Nahas Company of Castro Valley, Calif., which remains today, along with its subsidiaries, a family owned and operated business specializing in shopping center and second home development projects in California, Nevada and Idaho. He was the developer of the Southgate Shopping Center in Carson City and the recreational communities of Glenbrook and Rocky Ridge at Lake Tahoe.
In 1960, at the age of 37, he became the youngest person ever elected president of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce. He served as Chairman of the Land Development Committee of Alameda County and shortly thereafter was chosen as president of the nonprofit corporation that would develop the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum Complex. Within less than a year, he negotiated leases with the Oakland Raiders, the Oakland Athletics, the Seals, the Clippers, the Oaks and the Golden State Warriors. He served in this voluntary capacity for 20 years before retiring in 1980.
In 1965, he was elected president of the Urban Land Institute, one of the world's foremost land-use organizations. He later served as president of the Urban Land Research Foundation and in the spring of 1983 received the institute's highest honor by being awarded the status of emeritus member. Additionally, during his many years of public involvement, he served as chairman and trustee of the California State Parks Foundation and director and Vice-President of the East Bay Municipal Utility district. In his professional life, he served as trustee of the Wells Fargo Mortgage and Equity Trust and as a director of the Wells Fargo Bank.
As a passionate supporter of education, Mr. Nahas founded and helped fund scholarship programs in three states including scholarships at the University of Nevada, Reno and at the Western Nevada Community College in Carson City.
An avid outdoorsman and admirer of the American West, he owned and operated farms and cattle ranches in southwestern Idaho as part of a quiet crusade to help preserve a vanishing way of life. Despite his involvements in other areas, he spent most of his time in recent years at his residence in Carson City and at his home of 40 years outside of Tahoe City.
He was a loving father, a devoted husband and a mentor to many. His conduct was guided by the firm belief you should "strive to leave the world a better place because you have lived and worked in it."
He is survived by his wife Eva, his sons Bob, Ron, Randy; and daughters Robin Stevenson and Shelly Aldean; 12 grandchildren and two nieces.
For information on the celebration of life please call (510) 538-9600.
Those wishing to make donations to his scholarship programs may do so by sending checks, made payable to the R.T. Nahas Scholarship Foundation, to 504 W. Fifth St., Carson City NV 89703.