Arthur Viner

Arthur Viner

Arthur W Viner, formerly of New Canaan, died at his home in Vero Beach, Fla, on Thursday, June 19

Art 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 third and fifth 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, Art 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, Art became president and COO of the Voluntary Home Mortgage Credit Program and was awarded their Distinguished Service Award While living in the DC area he worked as a volunteer for the Republican Party He also discovered in the woods of Virginia what would become a lifelong 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

Art 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, Art served as president of the Pension Real Estate Association and in 1984-85 served as chairman of the board

From 1958 until 1991, Art 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, Art soon became the US representative of the Dutch real estate investment company, IBUS, arranging their US acquisitions and serving as their consultant for many years

Art was predeceased by his first wife, Ann Welch Viner, and is survived by his wife, Teryl Townsend Viner; his son William Viner; his sister Ellen Seiler; his stepchildren, Don and Shawn Speers; and his three grandchildren Katherine, Robert and Dorothy Speers

Services will be held Friday, June 27, at 2 pm 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 StrunkFuneralhomecom

- The Family