Arthur E. Lowenthal

Lowenthal, Arthur E.

Penfield: Passed away December 11, 2015, at the age of 96 after a short final illness. He was a WWII veteran who proudly served his country as an Army photographer. "Art," also known to many friends as "Bill," served for many years as a senior manager at Max Lowenthal and Sons, founded in 1868 as the Rochester Knitting Works. He then worked during nearly two decades as a valued consultant for major US knitting and textile companies that were adopting modern technology.

Art was a true Renaissance Man. A graduate of the Harley School and Union College, he was interested in everything -- and everybody. He was an inventor who held numerous patents for knitting technology, a prize-winning amateur photographer and a champion sailor and ice boat racer. As an expert machinist, Art built and re-built steam engines and boats as well as miniature steam engines; most recently he contributed his time and handiwork to the Antique Boat Museum at Clayton, NY. He leaves beloved family members and a legion of good friends with whom he shared those skills and his eclectic passions for cars, kites, travel with an Airstream trailer, science, cats, textiles, hanging out at the workshop, early morning breakfasts and, of course, photography and sailing, to mention only some of his many interests. He spent much of his many summers sailing Canandaigua Lake where he was a long-time member of the Canandaigua Yacht Club. Art also cared strongly about his community and was as an enthusiastic, responsive philanthropist.

Predeceased by his parents, Arthur M. and Helene Elsner Lowenthal, he is survived by his cousin Ruth Reiserer of Bend, OR, cousin-in-law Alice Lowenthal, of Washington, D.C., several generations of younger cousins and his devoted friend and companion, Mary Ann O'Connor of Rochester.

Art's family and friends are grateful for the excellent care and dedication to his medical needs that he received from his physicians of many years - Dr. Lawrence N. Chessin, Dr. Michael D. Falcoff and Dr. Hobart A. Lerner, who was, from boyhood, his lifelong friend.

There will be no visitation and no memorial service. A gathering of friends and family may be held at a future time. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Harley School, Union College and the United Way of Greater Rochester, NY, or to a charity of your choice.