It is with great sadness that we share the passing of David Bavar, the last surviving member of the initial KLNB founders (Kayne, Levin, Neilson and Bavar). David passed away Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at the age of 86. He is survived by his loving wife, Betty-Jean Bavar (nee Axel); devoted children, Robert (Anne) Bavar and Adrienne Bavar (Marc Wolfe); adored grandchildren, Benjamin Bavar and Amanda Bavar. He was predeceased by his loving brother, Michael Bavar and parents, Gus and Sylvia Bavar.
David left Manekin in 1971 to join KLNB and lead the office and industrial division and develop and invest in a wide variety of commercial property. It was David, along with Allen Kayne, Bob Levin and Bob Neilson, that developed the core principals at KLNB including its commitment to independence and its shared ownership model. These are guiding principles that still exist at KLNB over 50 years later. After 22 years, David left KLNB to form Bavar Properties Group in 1993, now run by his son Robert. Today, Bavar Properties Group owns office, warehouse, flex, retail, self-storage, and multi-family projects in the Baltimore, Northern, VA and Orlando with KLNB proudly handling the leasing for a large portion of the portfolio.
David was active in a variety of community organizations, serving on the board of directors of the Asolo Reparatory Theater in Sarasota, Florida and previously on the board of Goucher College of Maryland. He was member of the Bayfront Planning committee in Sarasota. Past involvement includes Catholic Charities of Baltimore and Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore. His professional affiliations include SIOR (Society Industrial Office Realtors) and NAIOP (National Association Industrial and Office Properties). He was a recipient of the Maryland Chapter NAIOP Lifetime Achievement Award. David was a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University and received his MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
