Robert (Bob) Milton Arthur
Robert (Bob) Milton Arthur
was born on March 21, 1924, the son of Simon and Irma (Spielberg) Arthur. He
passed away on October 12, 2014, at home with his family at his side.
Bob was a loving husband,
father, entrepreneur, inventor, engineer, veteran, author, and teacher. After
serving in World War II, in
operator in a Field Artillery Observation Battalion, Bob completed four college
degrees. He earned a B.A. in Physics from
Engineering from
from
Environmental Health Engineering from the State University of Iowa (1963).
After several jobs working as
a civil engineer, he began his teaching career at Rose Polytechnic Institute
(now the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology) in
He taught in the Civil Engineering department from 1956 to 1967. In 1967, he
originated and became chairman of the Department of Biological Engineering, one
of the first in the
States
revolutionary way to measure the metabolic activity of microorganisms, which
had many industrial and scientific applications.
In 1972, Bob moved his young
family back to
his hometown, to start a new career as an entrepreneur. He worked with his
brother, Jim, in a civil engineering and land surveying firm while he worked on
turning his inventions into a small business. That business eventually became
Arthur Technology, Inc., a consulting, research & development, testing, and
training firm specializing in the wastewater treatment industry. As CEO of that
business, Bob developed seven patents, wrote dozens of technical papers and
several books, won many industry awards, and worked to revolutionize the wastewater
treatment industry. His passion for teaching and innovation echo through that
industry even today.
In March, 1965, Bob married
Sally Kaye McMillan of
had a son, Robert McMillan Arthur. For many enjoyable years, they lived at a
home on Lake Winnebago in the town of
In 1996, Bob and Sally moved to their dream home high atop the Ledge
overlooking the city. Bob and Sally loved spending their spare time working on
their property, with Bob on his Ford 8N tractor. He was able to spend the rest
of his days in that home, surrounded by the woods, flowers, and wildlife.
Bob is survived by his wife,
Sally K. Arthur; his son, Robert M. Arthur of
and a sister, Marion S. Seibel of
du Lac
further survive him.
His parents; his brother,
James E. Arthur; and a brother-in-law, John Seibel, preceded him in death.
A memorial service will be
held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2014, at Mach Funeral Chapel &
Crematory,
Beaton officiating.
The family will greet
relatives and friends on Thursday at Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory from 4:00
p.m. until the time of service.
Burial will be in
Memorials may be directed to
Mach Funeral Chapel &
Crematory is serving the family, www.machfuneralchapel.com.