ROBERT W. SEAVEY

SEAVEY--Robert W. Robert "Bob" W. Seavey, a pioneer in the development of affordable housing, died peacefully of natural causes in New York City on June 24, 2014. For 61 years, Bob was an adoring husband to the late Phyllis Mehler Seavey, who passed away last year. He is survived by his devoted children Avery Seavey and Dr. Emily Senay and Nealle and Eric Seltzer, and loving grandchildren Veronica Jean, Bryn, Harry, Lucy and Ruby, sisters-in-law Maxine Chevlowe and Harriet Seavey, devoted nieces and nephews, cousin Edward Levine as well as other cousins, numerous friends and admirers. Born on October 14, 1927, Bob was the oldest child of Ben and Essie Seavey, and brother to the late Gilbert Seavey. A life-long New Yorker, Bob graduated from City College in 1949 and Brooklyn Law School in 1952, where he was editor-in-chief of the Brooklyn Law Review and first in his graduating class. After meeting in law school, Bob and Phyllis began a wonderful life-long journey together. They were married in New York in December 1952 and soon moved to Okinawa, Japan, where Bob served as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General's Office in the US Air Force during the Korean War. Following the birth of their son in 1956, they returned to New York, where Bob had an illustrious career as a lawyer, real estate developer and public servant for over fifty years. As a developer, Bob built thousands of low-income, affordable and conventional rental, cooperative and condominium units throughout New York City, including the first rehabilitation development under the Mitchell-Lama law; the first affordable housing cooperative in Harlem; the landmark Harlem apartment complex, Esplanade Gardens; and what was at the time the tallest residential building in Queens. He was most proud to share his knowledge of real estate law and business, volunteering for many years as an Adjunct Professor at Brooklyn Law School. Bob also had a distinguished career in the public sector, serving as Chairman of Battery Park City during its early construction phase, Chairman of the Real Estate Advisory Committee for New York State's Common Retirement Fund, Chairman of the Citizens Housing and Planning Council of New York, one of the City's most prestigious organizations dedicated to housing issues, and as a member of the Municipal Assistance Corporation of New York, the agency created out of the City's 1970s debt crisis. He was an early leader in the rejuvenation of Harlem and credited the start of his career to being Counsel to J. Raymond Jones, Tammany Hall's first African American leader. From that time forward Bob continued to be a respected advisor to numerous local policy makers, helping shape New York through times of social and economic change. Bob's professional accomplishments were matched only by his strong devotion to his family and friends. He inspired all who knew him with his loyalty. He was admired for his pure intelligence and his abiding interest in the world around him, including all of the people with whom he crossed paths. He was blessed with a great sense of humor and found true joy in good conversation, listening intently to the experiences of others and delighting in sharing the tales of his life. A big man with boundless energy, it was nothing for Bob to work until midnight and then pick up his family to travel hours for weekend getaways. Generous of heart and spirit, Bob always welcomed family and friends and was ready to help any of them in times of need. Above all, he was a kind person and a mentor to many, openly sharing his insight and experience. He will be deeply missed.