The Citadel community is mourning the loss of Robert “Bob” Nuttall, Sr., a member of the Board of Visitors (BOV) who passed away July 16 at the age of 76. A highly engaged alumnus appointed to the BOV in 2013, Nuttall served on and made valuable contributions to the Operations and Risk Management, and Strategy, Vision and Goverence Committees, and provided immeasurable advice on real estate matters. He was also an Army veteran, a successful commercial real estate executive, and a dedicated community leader, husband, father and grandfather.
Nuttall graduated as a member of The Citadel Class of 1962 with an English degree, and went on to serve as an officer in the U.S. Army before beginning what would be a 40-year career as a commercial real estate executive.
“We will be forever grateful to Bob Nuttall for sharing his keen business acumen with The Citadel, along with his passion and commitment for his beloved alma mater,” said Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa, Citadel president. “He will be greatly missed and long remembered.”
Nuttall’s career in real estate development began in Charlotte in 1971 with Crow, Carter and Associates. He eventually formed Nuttall Associates, Ltd., offering commercial real estate services to developers of office properties. That company became the largest of its kind in the Carolinas and eventually merged with the Binswanger organization of Philadelphia to form Binswanger Southern, Inc., for which Nuttall served as president and CEO. He eventually moved his family from Charlotte back to Mt. Pleasant where he operated the re-incorporated as Nuttall Associates, Ltd., for 30 years.
In May, Nuttall and his son, Edward Hucks Nuttall, Citadel Class of 1991, were on stage together during the college’s commencement ceremony to present a diploma to Bob’s grandson, Austin, who graduated with a degree in business administration. In all, 10 men from the Nuttall family attended The Citadel, the first being Norman Nuttall who graduated in 1938.
“Bob Nuttall was a true servant-leader. He embodied our core values of honor, duty and respect,” said Fred L. Price, Jr., BOV chair, and a member of The Citadel Class of 1975. “His commitment to The Citadel as a member of the Board of Visitors and through a variety of other positions was praiseworthy, and his leadership in volunteer positions throughout the Lowcountry was legendary.”
In addition to serving on the BOV, Nuttall was a life-long supporter of The Citadel through other positions and activities, including as a district director for the alumni association, a life member of The Citadel Brigadier Association, and an Order of the Tartan legacy member of The Citadel Foundation.
He was an extremely active leader in a wide array of community organizations that included the Charleston Men’s Chorus, Charleston Trident Development Board, Eagle Harbor Boy’s Ranch, Hibernian Society, La Societe Francais, Sertoma Club, and Washington Light Infantry. He was an active member of his St. Philip’s Church, serving on the Vestry as junior and senior warden.
Born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1940, Nuttall spent much of his childhood and most of his adult life in Mt. Pleasant which where his family lives today. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, June Hopkins Nuttall, three sons and their wives, Robert, Jr., ’88, and Jeri; William, ’90, and Jessica; Edward and Jaqueline, as well as seven grandchildren.
