Longtime Industry Leader Dies at 91

On Wednesday, November 13, Bob Dively, founder of several power pedestal companies, passed away at home after fighting a long battle with cancer.

As a general contractor constructing the Willoughby Spit Marina in Hampton, VA, Dively realized the need for a consolidated power and water source for boats to receive power and invented the marina power pedestal. He was the founder of many power pedestal companies that still exist today such as Sea Technology and Marina Power and Lighting. After selling those companies, Dively could not sit idle in retirement. In 2011, he founded Marina Electrical Equipment, Inc. after a five-year non-compete order was over from selling his last company.

During 91 years of life, Bob has filed 13 U.S. patents and has expanded his corporation, Marina Electrical Equipment, to be a global leader in providing specialized electrical equipment. Dively retired from the company last year.

Dively wrote a book of his life story and accomplishments for his family. His last page provides his outlook on life: “I came from humble beginnings. I was born in the thick of the Great Depression in Ohio- not the most glamorous place, and certainly not the most glamorous time. In a way, that did define me, but in other ways, it did not. It showed me that the most valuable things in life are free and innate: persistence to practice, curiosity to experiment, ambition to turn interests into refined skills and the love of family. The lack of money to buy a bike revealed my innate ability to make one. I hope you have the chance to experience that in some way: that you never give into restrictive circumstances, because beneath perceived lack might be a secret abundance. If you don’t try something, you’ll never know what your limits are. I certainly don’t have limits – I filed for two patents at age 87. Design your life to follow your passions, take it one step at a time and you’ll have a life story worth telling.”- Bob Dively

Dively’s full obituary can be found here https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/williamsburg-va/robert-dively-12076381.