Arthur Charles "Art" Von Oehsen

ARTHUR "ART" CHARLES VON OEHSEN, 79, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died on October 10, 2008 after a heroic battle with multiple illnesses. Born in the Bronx, New York on September 2, 1929, he graduated from Mount St. Michael Academy in the Bronx and Columbia University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. His career was spent in the New York metropolitan area in the pharmaceutical industry at Pfizer and Lederle Laboratories, capping his career as Global Director--New Products. He loved collecting model trains and historical books, but his greatest love--after his family--was food. He was also a master of trivia, knowing a lot about a lot of things, especially regarding medicine and World War II history. He and his wife of 54 years, Anne, moved to Houston in 2004 to be closer to family and became members of Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Suzy LaForge and her husband, Bob, of Houston; Mary Beth Jenkins and her husband, Bill, of Denver, Colorado; Katie Strong of Redding, Connecticut and Stephen Von Oehsen and his wife, Cindy, of Parkland, Florida; as well as eight grandchildren who knew him as "Papa": Colin and Megan LaForge, Selby and Haley Jenkins, Rebecca Strong and Stender, Evan and Lucas Von Oehsen. The family wishes to thank all his doctors and caregivers during his later years, especially those at The Senior's Place, Seven Acres Nursing Home, Methodist Hospital, Dr. Martin White and Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church. A memorial service will be held at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at ten o'clock in the morning with a reception at the church afterwards. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his honor to Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church (6221 Main, Houston, Texas 77030), The Senior's Place (2714 Joanel, Houston, TX 77027), Seven Acres (6200 N. Braeswood, Houston, TX 77074), or Mount St. Michael Academy (4300 Murdock Avenue, Bronx, NY 10466). Online tributes may be posted at www.bradshawcarter.com.