December 28, 1941 – April 12, 2025
Arnold (Arni) Leon Nashbar, age 83, of Bradenton, Florida, passed away peacefully at his home on April 12, 2025, surrounded by love.
Born December 28, 1941, in Youngstown, Ohio, Arni was the beloved son of Jack Max and Sylvia Putterman Nashbar, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Cheryl Bowser Nashbar, whom he adored beyond words; his children, Kevin Nashbar, Eric Nashbar, and Molly Nashbar McKay; two cherished granddaughters, Isabella Grace Nashbar and Scarlett Maria Nashbar; and his loving sister Roberta Goldstone of Sharon, Pennsylvania.
He is also survived by daughter-in-law Jaime Fortunato Nashbar Callicutt, and a host of nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly: Robyn Goldstone Gross, Steven Goldstone, Wendy Goldstone Szalay, Amy Kinnear, Terri Kinnear deVries, Franklin Black, Frances Black DelGatty, as well as Bonnie and Frank Black, and Susan Kinnear, his sister- and brother-in-law.
Arni was a proud 1959 graduate of Boardman High School. Ever creative and driven, he earned his way through art school by airbrushing custom cars on sweatshirts and t-shirts at county fairs and car shows. He studied at both the Cleveland Institute of Art and Youngstown State University before pursuing his dream job in 1963 as a designer for The Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation in Boardman, Ohio.
In 1967, he co-founded Nashbar/Osborne Associates, which designed and illustrated buildings around the globe. Ever the entrepreneur, Arni pioneered remote architectural renderings and developed an advertising division that served major clients such as Amweld Building Products, Niles Expanded Metals, General Fireproofing, Bede Aircraft, and the League of Women Voters.
His life took a transformative turn when he and Cheryl turned their family's passion for cycling into a business. In response to what he saw as a gap in quality service among existing bicycle mail-order companies, they founded Bike Nashbar. Arni's vision and creativity were the heart of its success. At its peak, the company mailed over 14 million catalogs annually across the U.S. and Canada, employed more than 350 people, and shipped over 6,000 packages daily.
Arni fostered a company culture rooted in kindness, innovation, and care. He was known for treating his employees like family, offering top-tier medical benefits, including alternative medicine coverage, and providing free in-office massages. Holidays were made special with raffled gifts, many donated by suppliers, and "Fun Days" were regular reminders of his commitment to joy in the workplace. He quietly helped many employees with additional medical expenses and support, always with deep compassion and anonymity.
His spirit of generosity extended far beyond his business. Arni donated 15 acres of land to Boardman Park for environmental education, thousands of dollars of ski equipment to Camp Fitch's YMCA cross-country ski program, and numerous bicycles, helmets, and apparel to children and local charities. He was instrumental in supporting the American Lung Association through cross-country cycling fundraising events.
A true community builder, Arni was a founding member and past president of the Out-Spoken Wheelmen Bicycle Club, which continues to enrich lives nearly 50 years later. He created and managed the Mill Creek Tour for nine years, attracting thousands of cyclists to one of Youngstown's most treasured parks. Proceeds from the tour went directly to the park's preservation. He also generously supported the Boardman Alumni Association, including funding for new bicycles and the refreshment stand at the Boardman High School football stadium. His achievements and impact were recognized with the Youngstown Chamber Small Business Person of the Year award, among others.
Above all else, Arni was a man of vision, heart, and unwavering devotion to family, community, and innovation. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the roads he paved-both literal and metaphorical-for future generations.
A celebration of Arni's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to your favorite charity. He was deeply loved and will be missed more than words can express.
