Obituaries
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, April 8, 2007
Robert W. Nightengale, former HFC chief
Chadds Ford, Pa. — Robert W. Nightengale, a consultant and former president of the Home Furnishings Council, has died of pancreatic cancer. He was 70.
Nightengale, who was with chemical company DuPont, joined the HFC, an industrywide group devoted to increasing consumer spending on home furnishings, in 1990 as marketing committee chairman. He later was named co-chair with La-Z-Boy's Pat Norton. After his retirement from DuPont, Nightengale became HFC president in 1992.
He produced the HFC's "Haven" TV show with Joy Philbin, which ran for seven years, and published its magazine, also called Haven.
When the Home Furnishings International Assn. took over the HFC in 2002, Nightengale became a consultant to the HFIA in brand management of HFC and Haven.
Last November, Nightengale and Connie Post, owner of consultancy and store and showroom design firm Connie Post Cos., began to co-produce "A Beautiful Room Will Change Your Life," a TV show on the Inspiration and Fashion cable networks.
"He stayed involved in the industry on many levels, working with many furniture companies," said his wife, Sally Nightengale. "He loved the people in the industry, and said it feels like a family."
In addition to his wife, Nightengale is survived by his son, Scott, who handles administration duties in his father's Wilmington, Del., office; a daughter and three grandchildren.
Bruno Mele, leather upholstery executive
Foggia, Italy — Bruno Mele, long involved in product development in the Italian leather upholstery community, has died from injuries sustained in an auto accident here. He was 45.
Mele was general manager for sales and product development worldwide for Caliaitalia. Before joining Calia four years ago, he worked for some 12 years at Natuzzi, where he was global product manager.
"Bruno was goodhearted. He was a gentleman," said Giuseppe Calia, president of Caliaitalia.
Max Lapegna, a leather industry colleague, said, "Bruno was an honorable person. He was well-liked and very talented."
Consultant Jeff Baron worked with Mele while both were at Natuzzi. "Some of those years I was his colleague, some of them his boss, all of them an admirer of his talent and abilities," said Baron.
"Behind the scenes, Bruno had an important impact on the leather furniture that has been sold here and around the world," Baron added. "Bruno left us at a time when he was much in demand, and he will be sorely missed by his family and all of us that knew and worked with him."
Mele is survived by his wife and two children.
A support fund has been established for his son, who is disabled. The fund is called Un Sorriso per Marco, or A Smile for Marco. Contributions may be made in care of the bank, San Paolo Banco di Napoli S.P.A., Matera, Italy, Account 1000/2387; ABI 01010; CAB 16100; SWIFT IBSPITNA390.
Derril Pratt, veteran Midwest sales rep
Lake MyKee, Mo. — Derril Pratt, a longtime sales representative in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas, has died of a stroke. He was 75.
After serving in the U.S. Army's Counter Intelligence Corps, Pratt began working for William Volker and Co., a furniture wholesaler in Kansas City, Mo., in 1965.
In 1974, he started his manufacturers' rep company, Derril Pratt and Associates, selling for Sunset-Richards Lamps, Fine Art Lamps and other major suppliers. His son Marcus Pratt joined the company in 1994 and continues as CEO.
The elder Pratt was a charter member of Coaster Co. of America's sales force, starting in 1986 and continuing until his death. His company now covers the Midwest for Coaster.
In addition to his son Marcus, he is survived by another son, two daughters, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph's Indian School, Chamberlain, S.D. 57326; or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.
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Bruno Mele dies at 45
Mar 28, 2007 -
Industry leader Bob Nightengale dies at 70
Mar 26, 2007
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