Neiman Is Honored for Volunteer Work

The retired co-founder of a Van Nuys-based lumber company has been chosen as the 35th recipient of the San Fernando Valley’s prestigious Fernando Award, given yearly for a lifetime of volunteer work.

Robert M. Neiman, 75, whose volunteer resume reads like a roll call of local civic groups, has “devoted thousands of hours of personal time and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to scores of Valley charities and civic organizations over the past 41 years,” according to his written nomination by five past Fernando Award recipients.

Neiman, who co-founded Lumber City in 1948 and developed it into a major retail chain and wholesale distributor, filled various positions for the Boy Scouts of America and raised funds as a board member for the YMCA since 1970.

The World War II-decorated U. S. Marine Corps colonel has served as chairman and member of committees at Cal State Northridge, Valley College, Valley Presbyterian Hospital Foundation, Valley Industry and Commerce Assn., United Way, Invest in America, the National Conference of Christians and Jews and Jewish Big Brothers Assn.

“This is a guy who rose in the ranks of the Marine Corps, built his own business from scratch and has always been involved in the community,” said David W. Fleming, the 1991 recipient and a friend of Neiman. “This (award) is a great way to cap off his long career of volunteerism.”

Neiman received the Fernando Award at a ceremony Friday night at the Sportsman’s Lodge in Studio City.

The Fernando Award is intended to honor the individual who has compiled a record of outstanding and selfless community service in the Valley. There is no cash prize; the winners’ names are inscribed on a statue in the Van Nuys Civic Center Mall.

The Fernando award is presented by Fernando Award Inc., a nonprofit group started in 1958 by local chambers of commerce. Nominations for the award may be made by any Valley organization or resident.

So far, only one woman has received the award.