Bob Nordvall, who, among other pursuits, wrote for The Florentine,passed away on January 2 in Pistoia, Italy. Especially appreciated for their caustic wit, Bob’s articles and conversations always featured a unique mix of insiders’ advice and expat perspective. Readers of his much-awaited newsletter ‘This Week in Italy’ were hard-pressed to find a more relevant up-to-the-minute publication capable of putting its finger on the pulse of Italian society. It was a composite of witty personal observation, ever-political intrigue and spot-on interjections from those he knew and loved. His work as a writer brings to mind a verse by Robert Browning: ‘Open my heart and you will see, grav’d inside of it, “Italy.”’
A native of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, father of two sons, Harvard graduate and former lawyer, Bob was a ‘networker’ in the highest sense of the word, with a true talent for getting people together—for social activism or just plain fun. Bob was on a first-name basis with, it seemed, the whole of Tuscany, especially Pistoia, where he had made his home since 2000, and Florence, the city he loved but was never sorry to leave at the end of the evening. A favorite Bob quote: ‘Darlin’, I know someone you’ve got to meet.’ Bob was a forger of friendships and a true friend.
A memorial service for Robert Nordvall will be held on Saturday, January 18, at 4pm, at St. James Episcopal Church (via Rucellai 9, Florence), with a reception to follow in the rectory next to the church.
