Arthur Kreisman Obituary

Dr. Arthur Kreisman, PhD, passed away peacefully January 13,2013 at the home he shared with his beloved wife Mamie in Ashland, Ore. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rose and Louis; brothers, Bernard and Wallace; and wife Evelyn (married April 1940 deceased July 1992). He is survived by his loving wife, Mamie (Tribble - married July 1994); his four sons, Peter, Steven, Richard, and James and their partners, Linda, Marge, Kate, Cathy and Marion; stepchildren, Van, Teresa and Terry, and Gary and Merilyn; 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Born in Cambridge, Mass. June 7, 1918, he earned a BA from Brigham Young University in 1942 and served in the Army during WWII (1943-45). After the war he arrived in Ashland as an assistant professor at Southern Oregon College in 1946. During a long and distinguished career at SOC (now SOU) Dr. Kreisman worked his way through the ranks becoming a full professor, then English Dept. chair, Humanities Dept. chair, Dir. General Studies, Dean of Arts & Sciences (1966-77), Dir. Curricular Affairs (1978-80), and finally, Prof. Emeritus (1981) and Univ. Historian. In addition to serving the college he dearly loved, he often spoke at conferences across the country; his writings appeared in academic journals and books throughout his career. Awards and honors given him over the years are too extensive to mention. Always the consummate professor, Dr. Kreisman loved teaching almost as much as his students loved him!

Dr. Kreisman was also actively involved in community service. Among other things he was the first Chair of the Board for Ashland Community Hospital and a co-founder of what is now the Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Ashland. He was on the Ashland City Council (1950-54) and was instrumental in the successful introduction of adult learning programs in the valley (SOLIR, the predecessor to today's OLLI program).

Dr. Kreisman absolutely loved his work at the college and was devoted to Ashland.....but he was first and foremost a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be sorely missed.

A service celebrating his life is planned for 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 20, 2013 at the Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 87 Fourth St. in Ashland. Memorials may be sent in his name to the SOU Foundation, The Ashland Community Hospital Foundation and/or the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

From Daily Tidings, January 22, 2013