Arthur J. Alper

Arthur "Art" Alper was born June 4, 1928 in Los Angeles. He passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025 at his home in Santa Monica. Art's self-effacing charm and ready wit brought him countless friends and admirers. He was lighthearted, funny, and relentlessly positive. Art often, and sometimes hilariously, 'scored a know' - - meaning he was recognized everywhere he traveled worldwide.
The son of David and Eva Alper and the brother of Lawrence, Art attended John Burroughs Junior High, Los Angeles High School, and UCLA. Art married his college sweetheart, Ann Fitzpatrick, in 1953. Art & Ann made their home in Pacific Palisades.
Like the hero of a Horatio Alger novel about a young man starting from humble beginnings and achieving success through hard work, Art was the epitome of the self-made man. Starting from scratch, Art built a successful career in the insurance industry, eventually co-owning a prominent brokerage. Art also was a founder of Bel Air Savings and Loan.
Art and Ann were loving parents. They had three sons, Dean, Neil & Tom. Dean and Tracy McCulloch raised three daughters, Kate, Lauren (married to J. Whelan), and Gillian. Neil and Holly Henderson raised three sons, Jeff, Brad and Casey. Brad and wife Brei are the parents of Art's great grandchildren Cove, Sunnie & Ocean Arthur. Tom and Michele Marcher raised two sons, Michael and Matthew (married to Carly Crowder.) After Ann's passing Art married Cori Martin of Pacific Palisades, fondly embracing her adult children JJ, David and wife Renee Warren, Kevin and his spouse Chrissy, along with great-grandchildren Kate, Emmett, CC and Owen.
Art was a dedicated philanthropist. He was an original donor and supporter of the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Foundation at UCLA. He consistently donated to UCLA, the Foundation for the Junior Blind, UCLA Athletics, and many other charitable causes. Art quietly and privately supported a number of individuals that needed a helping hand.
Art is perhaps best known for extraordinary athletic exploits. Art was a star basketball player at L.A High School. In his senior year he was named to the All-City first team and honored as Western League Player of the Year. He went on to play basketball at UCLA for Coach John Wooden. Art remained in close touch with Coach Wooden throughout Coach's life.
Art enjoyed an outstanding volleyball career as well. He began playing beach tournaments, developing the skills that later made him an indoor legend. He was a starting hitter on four straight National Open Championship teams, and was named All American three times. Art started for the US Volleyball team from 1956 through 1959, helping win a fourth place at the 1956 World Championships in Paris, and a Gold Medal at the 1959 Pan America Games. In 2009 USA Volleyball honored him as an All-Time Great.
In later years Art took up tennis and paddle tennis. He excelled at both, his precise shot-making earning him the sobriquet "Prince of Darkness." Art loved playing tennis with his friends at Riviera Country Club and cherished the post-tennis camaraderie. Art enjoyed family dinners and socializing with friends at the Bel Air Bay Club. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.