Comments on: Alfred “Al” A. Arth

By: John McCullough

John McCullough — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 21:12:49 +0000

In reply to Ruth (Walsh) Castor. He was my sixth grade teacher in Ridgewood NJ. Best teacher I ever had. I feel his loss even many years later.

By: Malorie Connelly

Malorie Connelly — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 22:45:15 +0000

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.

By: Ruthann Sleeman Herman

Ruthann Sleeman Herman — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 03:30:09 +0000

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.

By: Barb Sheppard

Barb Sheppard — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 16:20:30 +0000

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.

By: robert rowntree

robert rowntree — Sun, 18 May 2014 14:11:36 +0000

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.

By: Stan Scheer

Stan Scheer — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 01:57:02 +0000

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.

By: Bernie Ferrara

Bernie Ferrara — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 00:53:59 +0000

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.

By: Jacquelyn Dorsey

Jacquelyn Dorsey — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 12:51:12 +0000

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.

By: Cindi

Cindi — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 17:19:54 +0000

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.

By: Ed Paradis

Ed Paradis — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 17:31:22 +0000

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.