Arvin Wells

1927 - 2018

ATHENS - Arvin Robert Wells, 91, of Athens, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018 in The Plains at the Lindley Inn surrounded by his family. Special thanks to Hospice for making his transition to heaven a painless journey.
He was born on March 10, 1927 in Chicago, the son of Robert and Elner Wells. He grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan and attended the University of Michigan where Arvin received his Bachelor of English and PhD. He served a brief tour in the Korean War, but fortunately never saw any battle time.
Arvin married his high school sweetheart, Jeanne in 1949. In 1955 they moved to Athens so that Arvin could accept his first (and only) teaching position at Ohio University where he taught English for 43 years. He also served as Chairman of the English Department for two terms.
Arvin was an accomplished author and poet. He was an academic scholar and his number one passion was reading. He enjoyed traveling throughout the world, but his favorite country was Germany where he took time to teach at various German universities throughout his career. Arvin was fluent in both German and French.
He loved gardening, nature, painting, sailing and bird watching. He took great pleasure in walking their dog, Angel around Dow Lake and on the shores of Martha's Vineyard where he and Jeanne favored spending their summers away from the Athens humidity.
Arvin cared deeply for the theater, especially The Metropolitan Opera, where they would visit dear friends on Long Island and often spend a weekend savoring the talents of the New York City Opera. Listening to classical music on the radio was another one of Arvin's favorites, as were the plays, symphonies, concerts, movies and special guest speakers that Memorial Auditorium (Mem Aud to them) had to offer. They were lifelong members of this OU tradition. He was an active Parishioner of the Church of the Good Shepherd for over 60 years, where also he was a lector, usher and served on the vestry.
Arvin is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years (Jeanne), his father (Robert), mother (Elner), brother (Harold), and sisters (Phyllis and Betty).
He is survived by his daughter Leslie Peschke of Crown Point, Indiana; his son Douglas Wells of Saline, Michigan; his grandchildren, Eric Peschke of Wauconda, Illinois, Christopher Peschke of Crown Point, Indiana, Katie and Benjamin Wells of Saline, Michigan; his niece Sally Kaska of The Villages, Florida; and several distant relatives. He will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.
Special heartfelt thanks go out to the wonderful staff of The Lindley Inn where Arvin spent his last four and a half years under their care. This great group of dedicated individuals treated Arvin as family.
A private memorial service will take place at a later date. Arrangements are with Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register book at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Church of the Good Shepherd, The Dairy Barn, Ohio University or The Friends of Sengekontacket Pond on Martha's Vineyard.