Arthur Naftalin

Arthur Naftalin

Arthur Naftalin Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 8, 2005.
Naftalin Arthur Naftalin, 87, Mayor of Minneapolis from 1961 to 1969, passed away May 16, 2005. Preceded in death by parents, Sandel and Tillie; sisters, Phyllis and Jeanette, and brother, Mortimer. Born June 28, 1917, in Fargo, North Dakota, he came to Minneapolis to study at the University of Minnesota where he later held professorships in political science and urban affairs. One of the organizers of the DFL Party, he was Secretary to Mayor Hubert Humphrey and Commissioner of Administration under Governor Orville Freeman. He was active in the 1960s civil-rights movement and was founding president of the Minnesota chapter of Americans for Democratic Action. He began his career as a reporter for the Minneapolis Tribune and later produced and hosted the weekly public-affairs program "Minnesota Issues," which aired on public television for twelve seasons, and a series of videodocumentaries on Minnesota governors. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. Survived by wife of 63 years, Frances; sons, Mark (Ellen) and David (Elizabeth); daughter, Gail (Jerry); and grandchildren, David, James, Emily, Michaela and Joshua. Celebration of life on Sunday, June 12, 2 p.m., at the Humphrey Institute Atrium, 301 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis 55455. Family requests that gifts in his memory be made to Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library (250 Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis 55401) or to the Arthur Naftalin Public Service Fund (Attn: Development Office, Humphrey Institute, address above).

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June 11, 2005

Rosalie Kane posted to the memorial.

June 9, 2005

Duane Franke posted to the memorial.

June 8, 2005

Legacy Remembers posted an obituary.

2 Entries

Rosalie Kane

June 11, 2005

To Fran and all the family: Bob and I were so sad to learn about Art's death and were horrified that we found out only yesterday (June 10) after receiving the mailed invitation to the Celebration of Art's life on June 12. We have been in and out of the city through May and early June and don't tend to catch up on the Trib when away.(We are also leaving again for a short trip tomorrow afternoon and, therefore, can be at the Humphrey Center event in spirit only). We are writing to you personally, of course, but take this opportunity of communicating too. We feel terrible that we did not know about your and the community's loss until almost a month after Art's death. We feel honored and lucky to have had the opportunity to spend private time with such a rightly admired, thoughtful, and effective public figure who contributed so much to the world--and who also was so much fun to be with. What a model for us all! Rosalie & Bob Kane

Duane Franke

June 9, 2005

Arthur taught me the best about politics, first as a student in his classes in 1953 and while working for his election as mayor.



He always told his students that the great majority of people were in politics for the good of the community and not self interest.



His optimism and good will will be sorrily missed.

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Sign Arthur Naftalin's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

June 11, 2005

Rosalie Kane posted to the memorial.

June 9, 2005

Duane Franke posted to the memorial.

June 8, 2005

Legacy Remembers posted an obituary.