The Art of Art

 

Arthur was a great guy with an equally great appetite.  One story which remains LARD legend is the time Art and Will both tried to eat the Motherlode sandwich at Claim Jumper after practice.  These were the days LARD still aspired to live up to the name.  Of course the team turned it into a raucous competition and encouraged two of our youngest paddlers to eat through the pain.  They obliged.  Will was youthfully enthusiastic in his approach while Art was quiet and methodical in devouring what we are certain was a three foot sandwich.  This was the first time we recognized this talent in Art and in the spirit of the team both young men emerged equally victorious.

 

We have shared many family-style meals since with Art, and those familiar with his skills had little doubt about where the last traces of food were going.  Art was a dutiful friend.

 

Yes, Art’s stomach size is now well documented, but his heart had it beaten.  He was kind enough to laugh at the peanut gallery’s jokes and to befriend all new-comers.  He was generous with his time, offering assistance such as rides to anyone in need.  He never complained about anything and remained easy-going under all circumstances.  He never once walked past the Kromhouts unloading their conestoga without extending an offer of help, and he provided good company for the walk to the tree.  It seems like Art was always under that tree and it will be sadly strange without him.

 

We hope Arthur had some inkling of how loved and respected he truly was.  He was a wonderful friend, an ideal teammate and humorous cousin-in-law-in-law, or something like that.  Arthur, you will be missed and we love you.  We’ll see you under the tree.

 

Greg & Wileen