Dimiter Pavloff Stoyanoff

DIMITER PAVLOFF STOYANOFF Dimiter Stoyanoff was born on July 12, 1921, in Sophia, Bulgaria. He died in Stuart, Fl, on Sept. 29, 2006, at age 85. He graduated from the American College in Sophia in 1942, and then studied with Master Sculptor, Peikoff. He planned to become a sculptor, but then World War II arrived and he was drafted into the Bulgarian army. With the war came the invasion of Bulgaria, by Germany, and then Russia. The citizens found themselves far behind the iron curtain. Because his father had helped several young men through college, two of them in turn, helped Dimiter and his brother leave Bulgaria, to immigrate to the United States of America in 1947. Once here, he enrolled in the Washington University School of Architecture, graduating in 1952. After graduation he served two years apprenticeship and received his coveted Architectural license. He also became a most proud citizen of the USA. He met, art student, Joan Thoss,on campus, in 1951. The couple married in the University chapel in 1955. Their son James, was born on the following Bulgarian Christmas day, 1956. Dimiter worked for a large firm in St. Louis, and became the lead designer on such projects as the Bush Stadium, the US Air Force Academy Field House, the Monorail Station at the NY World's Fair. There were buildings for Ralston Purina, and the Pepsi Cola Plant & offices in Phoenix, plus numerous others, large and small. In 1962, Dimiter took up his sculpture again, and was a member of an 18 sculptor gallery in St. Louis, and also a prominent New York Gallery. He came to Stuart, in 1972, where he was to head a new office for Palm Beach Architect, Gene Lawrence. Just as he arrived in Florida, the whole economy collapsed and he liked to joke, he found himself designing garages. He persevered, and became a prolific Architect in the area. He was an active member of the AIA, and the NCARB. Some of his Martin County early projects include the Regency Square shopping center, the Village and Ocean View Condominiums, Stuart Eye clinic, Dr. Clark Raynor's offices, St. Luke"s Episcopal church. Then later, several other churches, numerous office buildings, medical clinics, and many single family homes from Stuart to Sailfish Point. There are also his unique homes and condominiums scattered through, St. Lucie County, Juno, and the Palm Beaches. Dimiter designed, provided plans and oversight for the first five Easter Houses, built in Martin County. He also donated the same for several area churches. It was his joy to give back to this country gifts of his work as this country had welcomed him, with open arms. After friend and Architect, Peter Jefferson left town, Dimiter was instrumental in saving the old Court House, and getting it off to a successful start as an art gallery and a place to learn and enjoy art. He happily donated hundreds of hours to that task. Meantime, he had been looking at the old, dreary, bandstand, and came up with the idea of painting a beautiful sky there. Area artists donated their talents, and that was a small beginning of the saving of our old downtown. The task is now passed on to younger dreamers, and he had faith they would continue his quest. About 1988, once again, Dimiter found time to take up his beloved sculpture, and until health problems arose, he spent every extra moment in the joy of pushing the envelope of creativity. He is survived by his wife, Joan, of 51 years, and son James, of New Orleans, and a little 3 year old granddaughter, Svenya, who paints and draws like her grandfather.