Arthur H. Pickard, age 79, of 553 North 8th Street, Gladstone, died Monday afternoon September 15, 2008 at the Christian Park Village, in Escanaba, where he was a resident.
Arthur was born July 29, 1929, in Gladstone, the son of August and Eva (Dahn) Pickard. He attended the All Saints School and the Gladstone High School, graduating in 1947. Arthur went on to enlist in the Air Force of the United States Army and received an honorable discharge in 1950. He began studying at the University of Detroit and graduated with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 1955.
Arthur’s teaching career began at the Clara B. Ford School in Dearborn Township, MI, where he taught for three years while working on his Master’s degree at Eastern Michigan University. In 1958, Arthur began teaching, for the next four years, with the Department of Defense Schools. He taught at Lakenheath, England, from 1958-59, eventually returning back to the states to finish his Master’s degree in Education and Science.
Following the achievement of his Master’s Degree, Arthur accepted a position at the Embassy School in Copenhagen, Denmark, continuing to teach school from 1950-1960. In 1960-61, he was appointed Principal and Teacher in Birkenfeld, Germany. For the school year 1961-62, he was appointed Principal at the Incirlik School in Adana, Turkey. Upon his completion of four years with the Department of Defense Schools, Arthur began working with Exxon Oil Company, in New York, before relocating to Sumatra, Indonesia where he taught until 1965. Again Arthur returned to the states to begin working on his Doctorate Degree at UCLA. In 1969 he went to Luanda Angola, West Africa and taught a semester at the Escola Inclesa. He again returned to Sumatra, Indonesia and taught 1969-70. On completion of the school year he came back to California and finished his dissertation and was granted his Doctorate of Education in 1970.
Arthur supervised student teachers at Long Beach, CA, for a semester, before accepting a position at Chapman College Semester at Sea. Throughout his employment at Chapman College, Arthur taught International Studies, visiting 13 countries, in three months, where he directed studies of the various countries they had visited. Upon completing his work with Chapman College, he then joined Modulearn Inc., a company affiliated with St. Louis High School in Hawaii. He established educational programs for military personnel in Korea and Okinawa, Thailand. In 1974 he established programs for Navy personnel, teaching the English language, as a 2nd language, at Almeda and Long Beach, CA. He was then sent to Naples, Italy where he set up programs for Navy personnel for the 6th Fleet, living aboard the USS Piedmont. After six months, his work was completed and he returned home.
In 1976, Arthur returned to Gladstone and helped establish the school at the Hannahville Indian Reservation. In 1980, he left Hannahville and accepted the Superintendent’s position at Holy Name Elementary School, from which he retired.
Arthur was very active with the City of Gladstone, serving as Mayor and Commissioner for over nine years. He also served on the Board of Director’s for the Gladstone Senior Center and represented Gladstone on the Data Bus. Arthur was a member of All Saints Church where he sang in the choir and served as a cantor. He resided in Gladstone until his death.
Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, Adrian “Buster” and Carlton “Bud”. He is survived by 2 brothers, Ken of Gladstone and Don (Marlene) of Tucson, AZ, 2 sisters, Madelyn Beechler of Kipling and Marion (Jack) Griffin of Wauwatosa, WI. He is also survived by 13 nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Arthur’s family will receive friends on Friday October 3, 2008 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Military rites conducted by the Gladstone American Legion Post #71 will follow at 6:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday October 4, 2008, at 10:00 AM, at the All Saints Church in Gladstone, with Rev. Fr. Arnold Grambow officiating. Luncheon will follow in the All Saints Church Parish Hall. Committal services will follow luncheon at 1:00 PM at the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone. Memorial contributions may be directed to the All Saints Church Elevator Fund.
