Arthur Viner, 92, of Vero Beach, passed away on June 19, 2014.
He is survived by his wife, Teryl Townsend Viner; son, William Viner; sister, Ellen Seiler; stepchildren, Don and Shawn Speers; and his three grandchildren, Katherine, Robert and Dorothy Speers.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ann Welch Viner.
Viner was born in Chicago on April 22, 1922, to Dr. Jacob Viner and
Frances Klein Viner. While growing up he attended the University of Chicago Lab School from pre-kindergarten through High School with the exception of the 3rd and 5th grades when he attended the International School in Geneva while his father was a visiting professor at The Graduate Institute Of International and Development Studies.
At age 16 he arrived at Harvard for freshman orientation in the midst of the famous 1938 hurricane. As a sophomore he was invited to participate in the Grant Study, now known as the Study of Adult Development, and was a member until his death more than 75 years later. In 2007 he was asked if he would donate his brain to the Study for further research, which he readily agreed to do.
While at Harvard he enjoyed being a member of the Lampoon and the Hasty Pudding and as such co-authored their senior play with Robert Benchley and Coles Phinizy. It was never performed as suddenly our country was at war.
Immediately upon graduating, Viner enrolled in the Coast Guard Officers Training School. After graduation he served as a “Coastie” for the duration, participating in one of the fiercest battles fought in World War II – The Anzio Landing.
Upon returning home, Viner became President and COO of the Voluntary Home Mortgage Credit Program and was awarded their Distinguished Service Award. While living in the Washington D.C. area he worked as a volunteer for the Republican Party.
He also discovered in the woods of Virginia what would become a life- long passion- birding. Sea and shore birds, songbirds and raptors all became a source of great joy. He loved taking friends and grandchildren on bird walks at Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club where he helped design an Orchid Island life-list and brochure for club members.
Viner served on the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts for many years as a member of its Board of Governors, as President in 1975-76 and was the 1993 recipient of its Industry Leadership Award. In 1983-84 Viner served as President of the Pension Real Estate Association and in 1984-85 served as Chairman of the Board.
From 1958 until 1991, he founded and was President and CEO of Investors Central Management Corporation, which sponsored three Real Estate Investment Trusts that were listed on the New York Stock Exchange. After retiring from corporate New York, he soon became the U.S. representative of the Dutch real estate investment company, IBUS, arranging their U.S. acquisitions and serving as their consultant for many years.
Services will be held Friday, June 27 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of the Community Church of Vero Beach, 1901 23rd Street. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Community Church of Vero Beach or the Vero Beach Museum of Art Endowment Fund.
Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach. A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
