Arnold (Arni) Leon Nashbar, founder of Bike Nashbar, passed away peacefully in his home in Bradenton, FL, on April 12, 2025, at age 83.
Born December 28, 1941, in Youngstown, OH, Nashbar graduated from Boardman High School in 1959. 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 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, OH.
In 1967, Nashbar co-founded Nashbar/Osborne Associates, which designed and illustrated buildings worldwide. He pioneered remote architectural renderings and developed an advertising division that served major clients, including Amweld Building Products, Niles Expanded Metals, General Fireproofing, Bede Aircraft, and the League of Women Voters.
His life transformed when he and his wife turned their family’s passion for cycling into a business. In response to what he saw as a gap in quality customer service in bike mail-order companies, they founded Bike Nashbar. His vision and creativity were the heart of the business’ success. At its peak, the company mailed over 14 million catalogs annually across the U.S. and Canada, employed over 350 people and shipped over 6,000 packages daily.
Nashbar 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. He made holidays 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 beyond his business. Nashbar 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 bikes, helmets and apparel to kids and local charities. He supported the American Lung Association through cross-country cycling fundraising events.
A community builder, Nashbar 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 new bikes and the Boardman High School football stadium refreshment stand. The Youngstown Chamber recognized his achievements and impact with the Small Business Person of the Year award, among others.
Nashbar 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, literally and metaphorically, for future generations.’
Nashbar was the 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; his children, Kevin Nashbar, Eric Nashbar and Molly Nashbar McKay; two granddaughters, Isabella Grace Nashbar and Scarlett Maria Nashbar; and his Sister Roberta Goldstone of Sharon, PA.
Nashbar 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.
The family will hold a celebration of Nashbar’s life at a later date.
