Arthur B. Aarstad

SØren Arthur Bruun Aarstad passed away on Friday, September 11, 2020, at Newburgh Healthcare Center. He was 91 years old.

Arthur was born on February 20, 1929, in Hauge-i-DaIane, Norway, to the late Sivert and Olava (Bruun Haneberg) Aarstad. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and began formal education in one of the public schools. For Arthur, one important first-grade lesson was about speaking English; his first language was Norwegian. Arthur graduated from Ft. Hamilton High School in Brooklyn in 1946. He then attended St. Olaf College in Minnesota, where he met his future wife, Jonette Gronlid. He earned the BA degree from St. Olaf in 1949, with majors in Political Science and Philosophy. Following college, he worked for a year in New York City for the Great American Insurance Company. With the outbreak of the Korean War, he volunteered for duty with the United States Air Force, and was honorably discharged after serving nearly four years. Arthur then moved to Minnesota, where he and Jonette were married in 1955. He began graduate study at the University of Minnesota, where he earned the MA degree in Political Science in 1957 and BA in Education in 1958. He later continued studies at IU, earning the PhD in Political Science in 1970.

In the fall of 1958, Arthur began his teaching career at the University of Evansville (then Evansville College). During his first years, he taught both History and Political Science. He continued teaching at UE until retirement in 1995. During those years he received various awards, including the Outstanding Teacher Award in 1971. He also served for a time as Department Chair and as Law School Advisor.

Besides teaching political science, Arthur enjoyed being active in politics. He was elected Vanderburgh County Councilman-at-Large as well as to the Evansville-Vanderburgh County School Board. He also served on the Vanderburgh County Tax Adjustment Board. He loved music and regularly attended Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra concerts. He was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church. He enjoyed a wide circle of friends and colleagues.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, by his sister, Margaret Andersen, and by his brother, JØrgen.

He is survived by Jonette, his wife of 65 years, and by his two sons: Jon, of Evansville, and Paul, of Bloomington. He is also survived by cousins in the U.S. and Norway.

Arthur’s family would like to thank Newburgh Healthcare Center for the excellent care Arthur received as a resident of more than five years. We also wish to express a special thank-you to the staff of the North Unit at NHCC

A celebration of Arthur’s life is planned for a time when the current pandemic has receded.

Should friends desire to make a contribution in Arthur's memory: St. Mark's Lutheran Church at 2300 Washington Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714 or The Dr. Arthur B. Aarstad Scholar Prize, University of Evansville Office of Advancement at 1800 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714.

Arrangements are being handled by BOONE FUNERAL HOME EAST CHAPEL – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, IN.

Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arthur B. Aarstad, please visit our floral store.