Last month the campus community and residents all across the Copper Country said goodbye to Dr. Robert Nara, a well-loved local dentist and philanthropist. Nara and his wife Ruth, who survives him, made significant contributions to many aspects of life and community in the Copper Country, and specifically to Michigan Technological University. The J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library, including the archives department, have been lucky to be a part of the generosity of the Nara family and the Nara Foundation. Notable gifts include contributions of funds and equipment to help jumpstart the Keweenaw Digital Archives as well as support to develop a traveling exhibit about Nara’s grandfather, pioneering local photographer J.W. Nara.
In an effort to honor the memory of Dr. Robert Nara and to thank him for his kindness and generosity over the years, the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections has installed the J.W. Nara exhibit, “People, Place and Time: Michigan’s Copper Country Through the Lens of J.W. Nara.” The exhibit will be on display throughout the remainder of the fall semester in the Opie Reading Room of the Van Pelt and Opie Library.
