I last saw Art in August of 2007. In September, to avoid severe, painful, paralyzing, multiple sclerosis, he took his own life. He felt it was the best thing to do after living a full life. He was in pain, his body was going numb, he often collapsed from not being able stand. The symptoms were intermittent, but progressively worse. His brother died of the same disease after becoming fully paralyzed. Art went somewhere into the wilderness and no one has heard from him since.
After getting degrees in science and math he taught at Washington High and some of his students were children of our 1971 classmates. He loved it. He later moved to Citrus Heights where he continued to teach his beloved children. He never married.
I knew Art for most of my life. We went to school together from Kindergarten through High School. Art was a very smart and funny man. He was a good friend and always had a smile on his face. That is how I want to remember him. He is no longer in pain and is whole once again. A great man and a good friend.
Arthur was my friend. We often commuted to San Jose State together and the whole ride was filled with laughter. I had hoped to see him at our 20 year reunion but he was not there. I somehow found Bill Hernandez's email address and knowing that he and Art were good friends I wrote and Bill gave me Art's email address. I still have him listed in my "contacts" I cannot bear to delete it. We communicated for a while. I just loved him as such a dear friend. Many happy memories. Then when I joined Facebook Bill became my friend and when I asked about Arthur he told me the grim news.
I met Arthur when he was in the first grade, as he lived next door to one of my little friends, I think the Spahns. I remember this wild little blond boy, who could make a high pitched shreik like none other, and he was so funny and smart! He ran circles around us, he was such a ball of energy! He was always a great guy. I was so sad to hear that he took his life in difficult circumstances.
William Hernandez
I last saw Art in August of 2007. In September, to avoid severe, painful, paralyzing, multiple sclerosis, he took his own life. He felt it was the best thing to do after living a full life. He was in pain, his body was going numb, he often collapsed from not being able stand. The symptoms were intermittent, but progressively worse. His brother died of the same disease after becoming fully paralyzed. Art went somewhere into the wilderness and no one has heard from him since.
After getting degrees in science and math he taught at Washington High and some of his students were children of our 1971 classmates. He loved it. He later moved to Citrus Heights where he continued to teach his beloved children. He never married.
Bill Hernandez - a best friend.
Cathie Hall (Crawford)
I knew Art for most of my life. We went to school together from Kindergarten through High School. Art was a very smart and funny man. He was a good friend and always had a smile on his face. That is how I want to remember him. He is no longer in pain and is whole once again. A great man and a good friend.
June Nelms (Giust)
Arthur was my friend. We often commuted to San Jose State together and the whole ride was filled with laughter. I had hoped to see him at our 20 year reunion but he was not there. I somehow found Bill Hernandez's email address and knowing that he and Art were good friends I wrote and Bill gave me Art's email address. I still have him listed in my "contacts" I cannot bear to delete it. We communicated for a while. I just loved him as such a dear friend. Many happy memories. Then when I joined Facebook Bill became my friend and when I asked about Arthur he told me the grim news.
I will forever miss him!
William Hernandez
Art and Bill Hernandez July 2005
Patricia Carlson (Hughes)
I met Arthur when he was in the first grade, as he lived next door to one of my little friends, I think the Spahns. I remember this wild little blond boy, who could make a high pitched shreik like none other, and he was so funny and smart! He ran circles around us, he was such a ball of energy! He was always a great guy. I was so sad to hear that he took his life in difficult circumstances.