Florida Gulf Coast University issued the following announcement.
The Florida Gulf Coast University community is mourning the passing of Frank G. Daveler, whose generous support of FGCU was recognized earlier this year with the naming of the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship.
Daveler died Nov. 30, less than two weeks after his 102th birthday. Visitation will be held at noon Dec. 13 at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens, 525 111th Ave. N., followed by a celebration of life at 2 p.m. Condolences also can be shared online.
A highly successful businessman, Daveler launched and sold more than a dozen companies in aerospace, engineering and manufacturing. He was an early and enthusiastic investor in FGCU’s entrepreneurship program, which grew into the full-fledged school to be housed in a new campus building opening in fall 2021.
“His true generosity is not well known. He has helped countless students through scholarships, mentoring and being a sounding board,” said the school’s director, Sandra Kauanui. “His legacy will last forever. Frank always said he wanted to be our partner ‘in this life and the next.’”
Bill Rice, senior associate vice president of University Advancement, said Daveler “invested in things that he believed in — FGCU, Dr. Kauanui, our students and our mission.”
“He was a tough but caring man who believed in entrepreneurship and recognized the energy, caring heart and outstanding leadership of Dr. Kauanui,” Rice said. “Frank was a friend of the university, as well as a great friend to Dr. Kauanui and myself.”
Original source can be found here.
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