Robert Noce

Robert N. Noce, one of the two men selected by the DRA to perform the appraisals in the 26-acre redevelopment zone, was no stranger to the real estate profession in Danbury. Born in New York City in 1921, Noce became the youngest student accepted at Fordham University where he studied accounting. After his WWII service, Noce and his wife, Marion, moved to Danbury, where he owned and operated the Serre Trucking Company.

In 1952, Noce entered the real estate business as a broker. While he initially found appraising an effective way to sustain his brokerage office during the downturns of the real estate market, he soon came to realize the potential in appraising itself as a viable business. In a 1986 article in the Danbury Business Digest, Noce recalled, “It was apparent to me that appraising was going to come into its own.” As a result, his company, Robert N. Noce Associates, became the first full time real estate appraisal firm in Danbury.

The success of the business became a testament to Noce's foresight. In addition to work for the town of Danbury, Probate Court, local attorneys and other individuals, he soon found himself busy with work from the Veterans’ Administration as well as the State of Connecticut. By the time of his selection as one of the redevelopment project appraisers in January, 1960, Noce had, as noted earlier, conducted all the appraisal work for the Connecticut Highway Department on the construction of the Yankee Expressway (I-84) through Danbury and had been appraising for the State Highway Department in southern Connecticut since 1957, conducting more than 300 appraisals.

Noce was a tireless spokesman for the appraisal industry in Connecticut, serving as featured speaker and lecturer at real estate conferences and conventions. His pricing methods and techniques were the subject of prominent industry journals.

Noce was also an active member of the Danbury community. During the 1950’s through the 1960’s he served as Danbury Republican Town Committee chairman and a member of the Consolidation Commission that brought the town and city governments together to form today’s City of Danbury.