Obituary of Arthur E. Pfeil

Arthur E. Pfeil, precious husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and teacher, went to be with the Lord he loved on October 19th just in time for dinner. Art, one of ten children, was born in Ravenna, Ohio, to Forrest and Gladys Pfeil. At the early age of twelve while still attending school, he began working as a water boy for the Portage County Road Crew making 25 cents an hour which he turned over to his mother to help support the family. After Ravenna High School, Art completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Cincinnati while working on the Tappan Dam and later the Old Grand-dad Whiskey factory. Realizing a love for learning and teaching, Art returned to Ohio State College in 1937 to complete a Master's Degree in Education. He taught math, physics, and chemistry as well as coached swimming at Ada High School from 1938 to 1950, then Kent State University High School from 1950 to 1963, and finally at Santa Barbara High School from 1963 to 1980. Art continued to teach math to his favorite pupils, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always making learning fun with memory games and treats. Along the way, Art married his first love, Hester Bembower, in 1940 and had three children Bill, Mary, and John. After losing Hester to cancer in 1974, he married Jean Franklin in 1975. It was in the years following that he took on his most important and beloved job as the fun-loving and active grandpa which made him adored and admired by his entire family. Art's favorite times were those spent with family in Ohio, Arizona, Hawaii, and California making the memories which became his passion and source of endless storytelling. He dearly loved the tradition of weekly family dinners which he and Jean began. Art will be missed by all who knew and loved him from his beloved wife and companion Jean to his sons, Bill (Mee) and John (Carol); his daughters Mary Paton (Larry Miller), Janet Allen (Jeff), Coleen Stewart (Vic), and Tracy Schmidt (Ken); his grandchildren Michael Paton (Kerry), Lisa Paton (predeceased), Arthur Ozzie Thoreson (Becca), Fay and Eve Pfeil; Joie Horton (John), Justin Allen, Kyle Leon (Dennis), Charlie Schmidt (Sophia Galvan), Roni Schmidt (Brittney), Selena and Eden Schmidt, Kaitlyn and Cecily Stewart; his great-grandchildren Henry and Charlie Paton; Zeke, Ezra Arthur, and Stella Thoreson; Jaclyn, Jayna, and Joseph Horton; Jacey Allen; Elias and Selah Leon; and Luna and Sol Galvan-Schmidt. A celebration of Art's life will be held Friday, October 28, at 3:30 at the Free Methodist Church, 1435 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109. Please come as he left, in khaki shorts and his favorite Fiji shirt, ready for a walk on God's eternal beach. Donations may be made to Cliff Drive Care Center, The Outdoor School, at the same address.