OPPMANN Harvey George Oppmann, a real estate developer and civic leader was killed in a car accident on Wednesday in Chardon, Ohio. He was 70 years old. In the late 1970's, at a time of urban decay in downtown Cleveland, Oppmann and his partners purchased, restored and developed the Old Arcade, beginning the renaissance of the downtown area. Starting in 1969, he was engaged in property management as an owner, consultant and developer of various real estate projects including the Nicholson Terminal, the McCullough Art Center, the Fidelity Building, the Bing Building, as well as the Dearborn Street Railroad Station and the Reliance Building in Chicago. He was a founding member of the Ford Foundation Community AIDS Partnership Project, a founding board member of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and was foreman of the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury. He served as chairman of the boards of the Cleveland Scholarship Program, the Cleveland Institute of Art, the Medical Access Foundation, Studio Art Centers International, the Police Athletic League, the Harbour Island Day Nursery and the Cleveland Metroparks. He was also a board member of the Cleveland Foundation, the Sherwick Fund, the Alton F. and Carrie S. Davis Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, the Board of Foreign Parishes of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Hillcrest Hospital, Hawken School, the Western Reserve Historical Society and the Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland. Oppmann was appointed chairman of the Ohio Building Authority by three different governors, serving for a total of sixteen years beginning in 1977. He mentored both youth and aspiring entrepreneurs offering his time and expertise. An inveterate prankster, at the age of fifteen he was expelled from Hawken School by headmaster Richard Day after a youthful experiment with homemade explosives. Many years later he was awarded the Richard W. Day Distinguished Young Alumnus Award from Hawken School, an honor that always made him laugh. He was a graduate of Ohio University. Oppmann had a lifelong passion for Cuba and worked for decades to try to improve relations between that country and the United States. He led two delegations from the Association of Former Members of Congress and was passionate about improving living conditions for the children of Cuba. Ronn Richard, President & CEO of the Cleveland Foundation stated, "On a professional note, I can say that Harvey was an exemplary member of our board of directors for a decade (1981-1991). He was deeply respected by his fellow board members and our entire staff as a board member who was always prepared, asked great questions in board meetings, cared deeply about the arts, helping the poor and underserved, and advocated for the foundation taking major leadership roles in addition to our normal grantmaking. On a personal note, he was one of the finest human beings I have ever known, he was the best friend anyone could ever have, he was truly one of my dearest friends and I will mourn his passing for the rest of my life." A resident of Gates Mills, Oppmann spent part of each year on Harbour Island in the Bahamas where he was deeply involved in various island organizations. He was married to his wife, Patricia Coakley Oppmann "Robin", for 45 years. He is survived by his wife, his three children Justin, Patrick and Alexandra and his five grandchildren who lovingly called him "Royal." A wonderful and loyal friend, he is most remembered for his playful sense of humor, a life full of adventure and his service to others. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 22 at Trinity Cathedral at 4:30 p.m.
David Brown
OPPMANN Harvey George Oppmann, a real estate developer and civic leader was killed in a car accident on Wednesday in Chardon, Ohio. He was 70 years old. In the late 1970's, at a time of urban decay in downtown Cleveland, Oppmann and his partners purchased, restored and developed the Old Arcade, beginning the renaissance of the downtown area. Starting in 1969, he was engaged in property management as an owner, consultant and developer of various real estate projects including the Nicholson Terminal, the McCullough Art Center, the Fidelity Building, the Bing Building, as well as the Dearborn Street Railroad Station and the Reliance Building in Chicago. He was a founding member of the Ford Foundation Community AIDS Partnership Project, a founding board member of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and was foreman of the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury. He served as chairman of the boards of the Cleveland Scholarship Program, the Cleveland Institute of Art, the Medical Access Foundation, Studio Art Centers International, the Police Athletic League, the Harbour Island Day Nursery and the Cleveland Metroparks. He was also a board member of the Cleveland Foundation, the Sherwick Fund, the Alton F. and Carrie S. Davis Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, the Board of Foreign Parishes of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Hillcrest Hospital, Hawken School, the Western Reserve Historical Society and the Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland. Oppmann was appointed chairman of the Ohio Building Authority by three different governors, serving for a total of sixteen years beginning in 1977. He mentored both youth and aspiring entrepreneurs offering his time and expertise. An inveterate prankster, at the age of fifteen he was expelled from Hawken School by headmaster Richard Day after a youthful experiment with homemade explosives. Many years later he was awarded the Richard W. Day Distinguished Young Alumnus Award from Hawken School, an honor that always made him laugh. He was a graduate of Ohio University. Oppmann had a lifelong passion for Cuba and worked for decades to try to improve relations between that country and the United States. He led two delegations from the Association of Former Members of Congress and was passionate about improving living conditions for the children of Cuba. Ronn Richard, President & CEO of the Cleveland Foundation stated, "On a professional note, I can say that Harvey was an exemplary member of our board of directors for a decade (1981-1991). He was deeply respected by his fellow board members and our entire staff as a board member who was always prepared, asked great questions in board meetings, cared deeply about the arts, helping the poor and underserved, and advocated for the foundation taking major leadership roles in addition to our normal grantmaking. On a personal note, he was one of the finest human beings I have ever known, he was the best friend anyone could ever have, he was truly one of my dearest friends and I will mourn his passing for the rest of my life." A resident of Gates Mills, Oppmann spent part of each year on Harbour Island in the Bahamas where he was deeply involved in various island organizations. He was married to his wife, Patricia Coakley Oppmann "Robin", for 45 years. He is survived by his wife, his three children Justin, Patrick and Alexandra and his five grandchildren who lovingly called him "Royal." A wonderful and loyal friend, he is most remembered for his playful sense of humor, a life full of adventure and his service to others. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 22 at Trinity Cathedral at 4:30 p.m.