Obituary of Marvin Davidson

Marvin B. Davidson, 92, died Saturday, January 12, at his home in Stewartsville. He had been married to his wife, Blanche S. Davidson, for 67 years. A celebration in honor of Marvin’s life was held on Monday, January 14 at the home of Steven and Jane Kunzman.

The son of Albert and Kate (Kline) Davidson of Plainfield, Marvin graduated from Plainfield High School, where he was an outstanding track and field athlete. In 1944 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served until the end of World War II.

Marvin earned a B.S. in Business Management from Seton Hall University (1948) and later studied real estate and real estate appraisal. He worked for the New Jersey State Highway Department, where he managed land acquisition for state highways, including the interstate highway system. In the mid 1960s, as chief appraiser and negotiator in the real estate department of the Port of New York Authority, he worked to acquire 16 blocks of lower Manhattan for the site of what would become the World Trade Center.

In the late 1960s, Marvin opened an independent real estate appraisal office in Somerville, first with partner Sidney Halpern (Halpern and Davidson), then, after Halpern’s death, in a new partnership with Carol Stalker (Davidson & Stalker). In the 1980s this firm merged with another to become Davidson, Stalker and Vance, Inc.

Marvin was formerly a board member at Temple Beth El, Somerville. He also served on a number of boards of other organizations, both professional and nonprofit.

For many years Marvin’s hobby was woodworking. He also had a lifelong interest in travel and modes of transportation. He and Blanche traveled extensively, especially for three years when they bought an “airline passport” that allowed them unlimited travel within the U.S. They enjoyed bicycling on multi-day tours. Fulfilling a long-time dream, the couple also took a 65-day cruise around the Pacific in 2007.

Besides his wife, Marvin is survived by their three children and their spouses—Andrew Davidson (Linda Norlen), Douglas Davidson (Robin Gordon Davidson), and Jane Davidson Kunzman (Steven Kunzman)—and their 6 grandchildren: Michael Felton and Julia Davidson [children of Douglas and Robin]; Kate Kunzman (Alex Chan), Molly Kunzman Knowlton (Jonathon Knowlton), Julie Kunzman, and Sam Kunzman [children of Jane and Steven].

Marvin was preceded in death by his two older brothers, Herbert Davidson (1944) and Arthur Davidson (2004), and his sister Phyllis Davidson Cooper (2017).

Friends and family who wish to make a gift in Marvin’s memory are requested to contribute to the Lopatcong Township Emergency Squad, which accepts checks mailed to P.O. Box 267, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865.