Nate Benderson: one life, so much accomplished

It's hard to believe Nate Benderson is gone.

He died April 7 after a short illness. He was 94.

Best known as a business giant, he brought Benderson Development to University Park and Manatee County from Buffalo, N.Y.

Nathan Benderson shown recently with Rabbi Mendy Bukiet. (Herald file photo)

Everybody knows about his local shopping centers. They seem to be everywhere, well run, beautifully landscaped, constantly evolving.

It was always a pleasure seeing Mr. Benderson. You might run into him at Nate's Place, the animal rescue operation next door to company headquarters, or see him in the office, with the bicycle he rode nearby.

The last time I saw him was at the grand opening of Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch. He prayed over the new house of worship with Rabbi Mendy Bukiet.

I asked him if he was still riding his bicycle and he smiled and said that indeed he was. Certainly an inspiration for anyone wondering if they should work on their physical conditioning.

Beyond business, he had considerable influence in a any number of areas.

For more on his life, see Monday's Herald.

And take a  read of a couple of recent stories from Herald archives. The stories may or may not have his name attached, but you better believe he had everything to do with them.

http://www.bradenton.com/2012/02/11/3865269/honor-animal-rescue-seeking-more.html

http://www.bradenton.com/2012/04/07/3986049/florida-gov-rick-scott-talks-business.html

I visited the Benderson website tonight. All it said was: "In loving memory Nathan Benderson.

Here is a gallery of photos from recent years:

http://www.bradenton.com/2012/04/08/3987954/nathan-benderson-1917-2012.html#wgt=rcntmulti