Arthur Lester "Art" German

1925 - 2020

BORN

1925

DIED

2020

Arthur German Obituary

Arthur "Art" Lester German passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at Sunrise Senior Living in Walnut Creek, CA. He was 94. Art was born on June 25, 1925 in Brooklyn, N. Y. He was a gifted student and while attending Public School 163, he skipped three grades. At age 16, he graduated from high school and was accepted at Brooklyn College where he became interested in Journalism. In 1943, World War II interrupted Art's college career. He was drafted and became a Mortar Gunner with the 95th Infantry Division in the ETO. He was discharged in 1946 as a T/5 (corporal). Art returned to Brooklyn College and earned his bachelor's degree. He moved to California where he was accepted to Stanford University on the GI Bill. In 1948, he earned his master's degree in Journalism. In 1949, Art married Phoebe Alice Friedman and started his first newspaper reporting job with the Woodland Democrat. He worked through the decade for several Bay Area newspapers, and one in Oxnard, CA. In 1963, he returned to the Bay Area to work at the San Francisco Examiner. In 1967, Art became Information Officer for the California State Youth Authority (CYA). He and the family moved to Sacramento in 1968. After retiring from the CYA in 1988, he worked part-time for the Sacramento Bee, crafting a weekly column for the Bee's "Neighbors" section. Art truly enjoyed interviewing and writing about the fascinating folks who lived in and around his neighborhood. Phoebe passed away on August 9, 2013. Four years later, Art moved to Sunrise Senior Living in Walnut Creek. Art is survived by his three children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His funeral, held at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, Dixon, CA, begins at 12:30 p.m.

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Published by The Sacramento Bee on Mar. 6, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Arthur German

10 Entries

Charles "Chuck" Pineda, Jr.

March 3, 2023

It seems as Art left the CYA, or California Youth Authority the department's famous Green Sheet seem to disappeared, and as people retired there was little to no information on what was happening in the CYA. Art really was the Green Sheet. He put much effort into it, insuring that CYA employees were cognizant of what promotional examinations were coming up, opportunities for transfers, and lots of information on the CYA projects such as the new CYA Gang Violence Reduction Project in East Los Angeles which I designed and was its first Director. I loved the photo of one Greensheet photo where Cal Terhune then Director of Paroles and Institutions is in the front of the a house in East Los Angeles/Maravilla area surrounded by GVRP Gang Consultants, Parole Agents and Arizona Maravilla gang members and smiling.
Few people, in my opinion, gave Art German credit for the effectiveness of the Green Sheet during his control of it, but those of us who worked in institutions, parole, and special projects will never forget his contributions to it.
May the Lord Almighty continue to bless the family.

Charles "Chuck" Pineda, Jr.
Former family values candidate for Governor of California, and designer of the CYA's GVRP. See the work the barrio leaders did as Gang Consultants on U-tube: Working to end gang violence in East Los Angeles.

Lisa Lou

July 31, 2020

To Art's family, I'm so sorry for your loss. Please know that he brought joy right up to the end. I didn't know Art well, but he was a good friend to my dad at Sunrise. I usually found them sitting together. Dad introduced him as his best friend, even after he could not remember Art's name. Art was warm and friendly with my kids, which always added joy to our day. I remember Art humming and singing to himself in the hallways whenever we visited; he got a kick out of it when I joined in. Dad (Ben Gaines) passed away 7/27/20 at the age of 75, and I ran across this picture from November 11, 2018 so thought I'd share. (My dad is on the left, holding my youngest, who was 7 months old).

Robert Benedetti

March 26, 2020

I am writing as the Secretary of the Renaissance Society of Sacramento to bring the condolances of our members to Arthur German's family at this time of loss. Before he moved to Walnut Creek and while living in Sacramento, he was an active member of the Society. Our members appreciated his keen mind and willingness to particpate. We hope your memories will br9ng your family comfort during this time of transition. With Sympathy, Robert Bernrfdrtti

Tdeloris Coppin

March 10, 2020

I want to say that My experience with Art was as neighbors. He was always concerned about my granddaughter and even wrote her name at the end of my driveway. he was a wonderful friend and I will miss him My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Charles Pineda,Jr.

March 9, 2020

Art has gone to the ages,but he will be remembered for his cordial interactions with everyone who knew him.

Art was the CYA Green Sheet. We loved his style. He gave us great coverage in our battle against gang related homicides in the unincorporated area of East Los Angeles or Maravilla. As the designer and first Director of the Gang Violence Reduction Project he insured that the community Gang Consultants and Parole Agents received recognition for their risky and dangerous assignment from the CYA employees and others.

Our condolence to the family, and as a fellow soldier God bless him for his combat service for our nation.

Julie Steinbach

March 8, 2020

When I was a young teacher at the YA's Youth Training School in Chino in the early 70's, Art was a delightful mentor for the two articles of mine he published in the YA Quarterly. I always enjoyed visiting him in his office when in Sacramento - his interest in everything outside himself and his ever-present twinkle are well captured in the picture here - and in my heart. He lived a glorious legacy - his memory lives on, may it be a blessing to you all.

March 6, 2020

Art was a treasured staff for the Department of the Youth Authority. His staff news the "Green Sheet" kept everyone updated on the goings on in the CYA. It was an honor to have been his coworker. Dorrine and Gent Davis

Ellen & Ralph Nathan

March 6, 2020

We loved Art and Phoebe. What a full life he lived. We will miss him.

Linda Beymer

March 6, 2020

I was so sorry to learn about Art's death. We worked together for many years at Neighbors and he became a part of my family. He was a wonderful, kind man who was intelligent beyond words. The world will be a sadder place without him.

Carol Nelson

March 6, 2020

To the German family: I have thought about Art through the years, as I was a faithful reader of his columns in the Bee's Neighbors Section. He had a wonderful, human perspective and was a gifted writer. I saved a particular column he wrote and ensuing letter from him that I still treasure. What a fine man and journalist, too. My heartfelt condolences to you and may you find comfort in great family memories and also in his journalistic contributions to society. We need more people like Art German.

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