Arthur Linscott "Art" Porter

AMHERST – Arthur Linscott Porter passed away March 25, 2017, at his home in Jonzac, France. Art married Michele Nezereau in August 1989 and they lived in southern France since his retirement from UNICEF.  He had four children from his first wife Elizabeth Rundquist; Scott (Marcy) Karl (Kristen) Ted (Jennifer) and Laura (Irwin). He had eight grandchildren, Ethan, Gideon, Seth, Sam, Andrew, Alison, Ben and Sam.

Art was born January 27, 1931, in Springfield. His father was Charles Scott Porter (1897-1966) Dean of Amherst College from 1931-1966. His mother was Mildred Linscott Porter (1900- 1988). Art was predeceased by his brother John Worthington Porter (Evie and two children Jonathan and Melissa)( 1928-1974). He grew up in Amherst, living in homes both on Woodside and Hitchcock roads.  He graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1948  and Amherst College in 1952. While in college, he spent summers as a fire fighter in California and surrounding states. After graduating from college, he worked for the National Security Agency in Washington D.C. from 1953-1955, where he prepared classified documents that were used to prepare NSA's budgets. Upon leaving the Agency, he enrolled with the management trainee program with General Electric (GE) and that lead to becoming a Procedure Analyst at GE. 

In 1961, Art began working at Raytheon, where he held the positions as senior specialist-policy administration, business system and data processing manager, system analyst and system analyst manager and played a role in the Apollo space program. 

In 1971, Art and his family left the Boston suburb of Wayland, and became Special Placement Peace Corp Volunteer in Alor Star, Kedah in Malaysia. For two years, Art worked for the Muda Agriculture Authority, which was funded by the World Bank. The purpose of the called Muda scheme was to double Malaysia's domestic rice production in coordination with 50,000 farmers. Art was in charge of the planning, development and management of the computer systems. While living in Malaysia, he and his family traveled throughout Southeast Asia and the family enjoyed the trials and tribulations of living overseas.

In 1973, the Porter family returned to the United States and Art started his career at UNICEF. The family moved to Brooklyn, New York, and Art began working as a devoted international civil servant, as Chief of Supply Operations, Assistant to the Director of the Supply Division and Deputy Director of the Supply Division. Art mainly worked at UNICEF's headquarters in New York City and he was stationed in Copenhagen for a few years before retiring. Art took on many special assignments and traveled the world to advance the mission of UNICEF. 

In retirement, Art and Michele enjoyed hosting many friends and family at their home. He loved the French culture, cuisine and wine. He continued to love and read about history and do crossword puzzles, and focused his energies on family genealogy , keeping up with changes at Amherst, discussing politics and following his grandchildren and sharing life with Michele. Art is buried in Cimetiere Municipal Marie de Jonzac, in France. 

A memorial service will be held Sunday, April 30,  in New York City, New York  at the United Nations Chapel, Tillman Chapel at 777 1st Ave.

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