Bertram Myers

Bertram J. Myers NORFOLK - Bertram Jett Myers, civic leader, real estate developer, and retailer, passed away peacefully at his home in Norfolk, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010. Bertram, known as Bert, was a founder and board member of several Norfolk institutions, including Sentara Hospital, Eastern Virginia Medical School, the Harbor Club, and Scope. Born Aug. 24, 1922 in Norfolk to the late Julius and Beatrice Kanter Myers, he attended Taylor Elementary, Blair Junior High School and Maury High School. He attended Washington and Lee University where he graduated in 1944 with a BS in commerce. He joined the U.S. Navy and attended Officer Candidate School (OSC) at Columbia University in New York then fought in World War II in the South Pacific as a navigator and lieutenant JG on the LST-743. When he returned to Norfolk, he joined his family business and commenced projects in real estate as the developer of Downtown Plaza Shopping Center, located on St. Paul's Boulevard. He also created Suburban House and Granby House, assisted-living for the elderly, and other projects. Bert was on the board of Leigh Memorial Hospital as vice president and a longtime member of the finance committee, including when Leigh Memorial joined with Norfolk General Hospital to form Sentara. He served on the board of Sentara. He was on the board of the Harbor Club from 1981-1987 including House Chairman 1982-1987 and took an active role in the finance and other committees. He served on the board of Scope Convention Center, when it was founded, and for many years afterwards. Bert was a member and former board member of Congregation Beth El, where Myers Hall is named for his family. Bert loved his family, Judaism and the City of Norfolk. As a city leader, he participated in delegations that travelled to sister-cities in England, Japan and France as part of a cultural- business exchange and received delegations from other countries. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sue Bartley Myers; and three children, Beth Myers, Mark Myers and Alyson Myers; and son-in-law David Lawson and daughter-in-law, Gwen Myers. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Brent Myers-Lawson, Eden Rose Myers, Dashel Jett Myers and Presley Ann Myers; and numerous nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his sister, Dorothy Myers Mindel; and brother, Geoffrey Myers. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. today, Nov. 14, at Congregation Beth El. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends following the funeral service at their home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Congregation Beth El. The family expresses their sincere thanks to Bert's caregivers Rosamilia and Robert and all those who made his later years enjoyable. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk chapel, is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at hdoliver.com.