Dr. Alfred A. Arth passed away suddenly, August 22, 2013, at Bryan Medical Center, Lincoln, Nebraska. Al was born in New Jersey where he graduated high school. He then served as a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Paterson State Teacher’s College in Paterson, New Jersey. Dr. Arth obtained his Doctoral degree from Oklahoma University, Norman, Oklahoma. Dr. Arth was a national expert in Middle School Education, writing more than one hundred publications, several books, and winning national awards. Al taught at Southeast Community College and, previously, at York College, University of Nebraska, University of Wyoming, and University of Virginia.
Al is survived by his wife, Phyllis Messer Arth. Children: Clare McIntosh (Mike), Karleen Sheppard Jassman (Rick), Mary Daughrity (Varen), Grady Arth, Axel Arth. Al was proceeded in death by his son, Alfred F. Arth. Al is survived by eight grandchildren, one great grandchild, and his sister, Valerie Arth, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Services: Monday at 1:00 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
Visitation: Sunday 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Wyuka Funeral Home. Family will be present 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Interment will be at Wyuka Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alfred A. Arth Memorial Scholarship, in care of: SCC Foundation, 301 S. 68th St. Place, Lincoln, NE 68510.
My deepest condolences to the Arth family. Al was an amazing man who inspired me to be a better teacher and help ensure a better future for all students through high quality teacher training. I will work to see through his vision for the role of community colleges in that effort.
Judy and I are sorry for your loss. We have known Al for about 40 years since our time at the University of Wyoming and later at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Al will be known as a founding father of middle level education which he spearheaded in Wyoming in the 1970s, later at UN-L, York College, and nationally. He was a leader in middle level education for the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the National Middle Level Association and similar professional organizations. Along with his close friend and colleague, George Melton at NASSP, Al led successful efforts to implement growth and understanding of middle level education in Nebraska. He published dozens of books and articles, delivered presentations at state and national conventions annually, advised students for middle level positions in schools and universities, and proposed standards, criteria, and principles for middle schools; understanding of developmental needs of middle level students; and preparation programs for teachers, administrators, and other school personnel. His name is linked with other giants in the field as Howard Johnston, John Lounsbury, and William Alexander.
To say that he worked energetically is a gross understatement. Al gave his every effort at any time and to every task. His initials-AAA-are a good indicator of his contributions. Much better than a simple “A.”
The Toepfer family extends deepest, heartfelt, condolences to Phyllis, Grady, and Axel. Al’s sudden passing is a sad loss to all who knew and loved this wonderful man. Pound to have worked with him for many years I saw Al’s scholarship and teaching improve education for young adolescents across our nation and beyond. Most of all, I shall miss his friendship. While Al’s passing will make the road ahead lonelier, I’ll remember and be thankful for his having been in my life.
I’m pretty sure that Al is HOWLING over the pound/proud typo!
Al Arth was truly a national leader in middle school education. His commitment to improving teacher preparation and middle school programs, his exhaustive work in delivering the mesage of the significance of middle schools in our national education system, his dedicated focus on professional development for all for educators, and his humble generosity endeared Al to so many that knew him.
He will be missed by all who had the good fortune to have known him.
Dr. Arth was the first tremendous educator I had at UNL. Dr. Arth was instrumental in my choice of middle level ed. as the focus in my master’s and ed. specialist programs. His descriptive tales about middle level kids (not walking but “ricocheting” down the hall, “Crazy Eddie,” etc.) inspired me to pursue and achieve educational goals I didn’t know were possible. I have him to thank for a tremendous career that I truly loved involving a difficult age group that I was in tune with. Thank you, Dr. Arth.
Please let me express my sympathy to Dr. Arth’s family and friends. Dr. Arth was a professor that truly understood Middle School students! I was lucky enough to complete my Middle School endorsement in his program in the late 1980s @ UN-L. He had a special skill of sparking spirited discussions in all the classes. He also placed practicum students @ my school and once again I saw him help college students understand the complexities of that special Middle School age group. It is unfathomable to
count the number of lives he has impacted as a “true teacher of teachers”.
We have lost a portion of our past. But people like Al Arth are the reason our middle level education profession thrives today — and can look forward to a promising future.”
Dr. Arth was part of the golden age of middle schools. His dedication to advocating for middle level youth and those who serve them is appreciated and admired. He touched many hearts and left a glow to keep us warm.
Another chapter of history closes as the middle level education world has lost a great friend and pioneer. My heart goes out to the family at this time and in the days ahead.
My condolences to Al’s family. He will be remembered as a driving force in middle level education in Nebraska and in our nation. His work with the Nebraska Mid-level Academy made the difference in thousands of students and teachers lives. He will be missed as a guiding light in education, in addition to just being a really good man.
Phyllis & family,
Dr. Arth was an inspiration to Middle Level education at the University of Wyoming. I attribute my ability to effectively teach to him (for the past 35 years). He was my committe chair in graduate school and have taken the “best from the best” every day I teach due to him. So many of us were lucky to have his influence in our lives to make us better teachers. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the Arth family at this time.
He was my sixth grade teacher in Ridgewood NJ. Best teacher I ever had. I feel his loss even many years later.
Phyllis and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Al was a one in a billion man. His kindness and enthusiasm for life and education will always be remembered. I am a better person for having known him. He was a fantastic example of being a bright spot in someone’s day.
Please accept my sympathy on the loss of your husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend. Dr. Al Arth made a powerful impression on so many involved with middle level education. He was a powerful force who was committed to helping others understand the importance of the middle level years. His involvement with the Center of Education for the Young Adolescent and the Transescent Seminar at UW-Platteville will be remembered by many. Many of us are thinking of Al and his family and sending our sympathy.
So sorry to hear this news. Al was such an integral part of us getting statewide articulation of our education courses for the community colleges in Nebraska. Our state has lost a great leader in the field of education. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Phyllis, and your family.
Phyllis,
Al was a great guy and I always thought of him as a friend first and Professor second. I worked for him as an research assistant while he was trying to get the program “approved” at the university in the mid 90’s. I was always impressed how he handled the results, much better than I. I ran into him several times. I will always cherish the time spent with him and Dr. Bargman, working in the office and traveling to Omaha and Seward. God bless. I pray for strength for you and the family.
I will miss Dr. Arth and his leadership in Middle Level education. He was very influential in my early days as an undergraduate at UNL. The world has lost a great scholar and a huge advocate for transescents. He will be sorely missed.
How can I go to a middle level conference without Al telling me that I was a “snip?” Without his guidance? Without his wicked sense of humor? Without his leadership and incredible work ethic? Without his generous spirit? Like the song from Wicked says, he left a handprint on my heart and I know he did with so many others. His legacy lives on. Because I knew him, I have been changed for good. My love to all the Arths!
My thoughts and prayers go to the Arth family. Al was a remarkable man dedicating his life to education. I enjoyed working with Al early in his time at the University of Wyoming, and while we had our differences later, he remained cordial and I considered him a friend. Again, my thoughts and prayers are with his family.
I was heartbroken to hear of the passing of Dr. Arth. I worked at YC when he was an adjunct professor there. He touched many lives and was so passionate about teaching. I am so sorry for your loss.
To the Arth Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Dr. Arth helped shape the minds of many educators in Middle Level Education. I learned so much and met so many people who really cared about education while taking classes at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln under Dr. Arth. There are times that I think back on Kids on Campus and the ideas that were expressed by middle level students during those days. Whenever there is a new middle level building being built I am amazed that many of the concepts that students came up with during KOC are being incorporated in the new buildings. I am truly sorry for your loss.
Al and I went to Bogota High School together and graduated in 1954. After we went our separate ways, but I was always interested in Al’s career in education. We last saw each other at our 50th high school reunion in 2004 in New Jersey. In high school we were part of a 4-some called the Four Mustateers. There are only 2 of us left now. My sincere condolences to Al’s family.
I was saddened by the news of Al’s passing. I knew him when I was an administrator in Wyoming and as a graduate student at the University of Wyoming. We regularly jogged at lunch time together around the Half Acre Gym indoor track. His wisdom and humor were very special parts of who he was. I will never forget the sound of his laughter,sweet spirit and his kindness. I will also never forget riding on a school travel bus with him all the way to Tucson and back to Wyoming with 3 coolers of all kinds of interesting treats to make the trip less painful. I just recently was referring to one of his publications when I happened upon this very sad news. A wonderful man who did make a difference on behalf of public education. Thank you my friend. You were a true role model and motivator.
I was one of his many , lucky middle school students. He was a truly unforgettable teacher with the magic dust that left so many of his grade school kids with a life-long love of learning.
Though I did not have Dr. Arth as a professor, I do recall his humorous presentations at state and national conventions in the ’90s. I remember him being affiliated with the publication of This We Believe which led me here in 2014. The manner in which Dr. Arth infused his wit into teaching others the philosophy of middle level education, and his candid descriptions of adolescent and middle level teacher behavior are legendary.
Heartfelt condolences to the Arth family. Dr Arth made a huge difference in my young learning experience. I was very fortunate to be in Dr Arth’s very first class in Ridgewood, New Jersey. He impacted my life and the lives of everyone in that class. We were 6th graders, learning the stock market by creating our own stock exchange, putting a turkey back together bone by bone after Thanksgiving, and constructing a car engine from parts we found at a car junkyard. We learned the meaning of plagiarism, how to grow grass in the shape of South America on the front lawn of the school and what it was to be an American. He taught us the importance of the correct usage of adverbs (with “blink, blink” LY) and mastered the new math. We learned about operas, musicals and Walt Disney (a bonus question on a test was, “what was Walt Disney’s middle name… Elias) He even sent us our first earned dollar if we sent him a Christmas card every year after 6th grade till we graduated high school/college. Every day was exciting, an important life lesson learned and always memorable. I’m glad I had a chance to write Dr Arth a thank you email several years ago. I am so thankful to him for making a huge difference in my life education and I am so very sorry for your loss.
I just recently heard about Dr. Arth’s passing in one of my education classes at UNK and I am at a loss for words to describe how much he will be missed. If it wasn’t for Dr. Arth’s guidance and passion towards middle level education I would not be attending UNK to become a middle school teacher. He has made a difference in so many lives and I am so honored to say that I was once his student.