In Memoriam: Marv Nodiff (1945-2025)
Apr 27, 2025 | News & Events,
By Sue Greenberg, executive director
We are saddened by the recent passing of Founding Board Member Marvin J. Nodiff.
Marv was the leading man in our origin story. The first chapter began in 1981 with Zia Gipson, who worked for the City’s Arts & Humanities Commission (which later became the Regional Arts Commission). Zia knew that artists and arts organizations needed access to legal services, so she reached out to Saint Louis University School of Law, where she connected with Marv, a self-described “mature” law student. That made Marv our first volunteer! Along with attorneys Richard Haferkamp and Darwin Portman, Marv and Zia incorporated St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts in 1982. Accountants were added in 1984.
Marv, Zia, Rich, Darwin, and their fellow founding board members — Angela Morton Conley, Anne Crane, Michael Forst, Lawrence Katzenstein, F. Michael Nevins, Libby Reuter, and Franklin Wallis — established a strong foundation for our highly valued nonprofit organization by clearly defining our service mission, securing initial funding, recruiting volunteers and making connections with the local arts community, establishing guidelines and procedures for our referral service, and hosting workshops.
In 1986, when it became clear that paid staff was needed to handle the growing day-to-day workload, Marv led the hiring committee.
Marv was a nationally recognized community association attorney. He also wrote and published nine mystery novels, all set against the backdrop of condo living.
After rotating off the board many years ago, Marv remained a generous and steadfast donor. He spoke (photo above) with his signature wit and his deep passion for our mission during our 30th anniversary holiday celebration at Metropolitan Artist Lofts.
The loving husband of the late Linda Nodiff, Marv is survived by his step-daughter, Monica Hammond, and her family.