Longboat Key Obituaries: July 13, 2017

Ira Peterman

Ira Peterman, of Reddington, Conn., and formerly, Longboat Key, died June 27.

He was born to Syd and David Peterman of Yonkers, N.Y. He graduated from Harvard University and received an MBA from Harvard Business School where he was awarded the Cohan Retailing Prize.

Following his service as a lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Supply Corps, he began his merchandising career at Abraham Straus and G. Fox & Co. Ira then moved into management information systems with IBM as a representative to the retailing industry. He went on to hold positions as vice president of management information services for Food Fair Stores and later vice president of administration of the Meldisco Division of the Melville Corp., now CVS. He and his wife, Beverly, raised their family in Stamford. During that time, he was vice chairman of the board of trustees for The Jewish Home in Fairfield, Conn. and chairman of Temple Sinai’s religious school.

He was also an active member of the school’s committee for the Harvard Club of Southern Fairfield County, as well as a dedicated solicitor for Harvard’s annual fund drive.

Retiring to Longboat Key, Ira was on the board of trustees of the Sarasota Ballet, president of the Sarasota Ballet Association, vice president of administration and board member of Temple Beth Israel, a member of the Longboat Key Democratic Club and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.

Ira was passionate about travel, movies and the New York Times.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Beverly; daughter, Amy Schneider; son, Eric; their spouses; four grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and sister, Elaine Stupp.

Robert Garvin

Robert Victor Garvin, 89, of Sarasota, and formerly, Cincinnati, Ohio, died June 27.

He was born in 1927 in Vienna, Austria. In 1938, his immediate family fled the Nazis to London, where he attended King’s College School.

In 1945, the family emigrated to the United States, changing their surname from Grunspan. Robert then served in the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence Service in Germany before he attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In 1950, Robert joined the Aircraft Engine Division of GE, where he worked for more than 42 years in various roles including engineering manufacturing, project management, negotiating and administering international license marketing.

He retired in 1992 after holding positions as vice president and general manager of GE’s Aircraft Engine Overseas Operation.

After retiring, Robert taught courses on international issues at the Institute for Lifetime Learning of the University of Cincinnati and at the Longboat Key Education Center.

He published a book on the confluence of technology, money and politics in the aircraft engine industry and a book about the founding of the MIT Rugby football club.

Since 1992, he has resided in Sarasota where he owned a home on Lido Key and was active in the Sarasota Architectural Foundation.

Robert also served on the board of Gloria Musicae and as president of his neighborhood association.

Robert was married to Rita Tobi Katz for 43 years until her death in 1999.

He is survived by his sons Andrew and Anthony Garvin; their spouses; grandson Joshua Garvin; and companion Julie Greenleaf Magenheim.

A memorial service will be held in Sarasota in the fall.

Donations can be made to the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, Mass., 02142, or Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway.

Ian MacKenzie Rolland

Ian MacKenzie Rolland, 84, died July 1.

He was born on June 3, 1933 in Fort Wayne, Ind., to the late David and Florence Rolland.

He graduated from North Side High School in 1951. He earned his bachelor’s degree from DePauw University in 1955, and his master’s in actuarial science from the University of Michigan in 1956.

Ian began his career in 1956 at Lincoln National Corp. and held many positions, including senior VP, president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board. He retired in 1998.

He was awarded the Sachem Award in 2012, Indiana’s highest award, as well as the Insurance Legends Award from the Actuarial Foundation.

Ian was involved with many nonprofit organizations, mentored future leaders and established a foundation to carry on his legacy of giving.

He enjoyed going to Colts games, Lake Wawasee and Longboat Key with his family.

Ian ran 15 marathons and enjoyed sailing and traveling.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Alaina Rolland; grandson Michael Rolland; and brother, Alan Rolland.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Miriam “Mimi” Rolland; children, Cheri Stone, Larry Rolland, Bob Rolland, Carol Rolland and Sara Moore; 14 grandchildren; two step granddaughters; four great grandchildren; sister, Betty Allen; and sister-in-law Barbara Rolland.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ian and Mimi Rolland Foundation, PO Box 5661, Fort Wayne, Ind., 46895.