Remembering Harvey Lindsay Jr.

Harvey L. Lindsay Jr., chairman of Harvey Lindsay Commercial Real Estate, died April 19 at the age of 93. In addition to his nearly 70-year career in real estate, Lindsay was a Korean War veteran, an active volunteer in Hampton Roads civic organizations and an early civil rights activist.

“Harvey was an eternal optimist and a true servant leader who believed in empowering individuals to take care of their neighbors,” says Robert M. King, one of Lindsay’s sons and now chairman and president of the Norfolk real estate firm, which was started by Harvey Lindsay Sr. “Throughout his career, my dad believed that what was good for people was good for business. His solid, unyielding values are embedded in the culture of our company.”

Lindsay, who served as a Marine lieutenant during the Korean War and was a University of Virginia alumnus, joined his father’s company in 1954 and became president of the firm in 1969. He continued as chairman until his death.

Over his career, Lindsay was part of many major projects, including Tidewater Community College and Military Circle Mall. Old Dominion University’s Harvey Lindsay School of Real Estate is named for him. In 2014, LEAD Hampton Roads named him First Citizen of Hampton Roads.

A desegregation advocate, Lindsay chaired a racially mixed committee that pushed to reopen Norfolk public schools, which had closed in 1958 instead of integrating. He later co-founded a precursor to the Urban League of Hampton Roads, serving as its president.

“At a time when taking a bold stance on race relations … was risky, Mr. Lindsay stood for what was right, demonstrating uncommon courage,” says Urban League President and CEO Gilbert T. Bland. “Hampton Roads is a stronger, more inclusive community because of his efforts.”