Arthur Ian Aronson

Arthur (Art) Ian Aronson, PhD, had a long and distinguished career for 60 years as Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Biology and later Professor Emeritus at Purdue University. He completed his undergraduate studies at University of Chicago, MS degree at the University of Massachusetts, and PhD in Microbiology at the University of Illinois.
Art had the privilege of doing post-doctoral research in the late 50s at Cambridge University in England alongside the scientists who had recently discovered the double helix structure of DNA. He then moved to West Lafayette, IN to start his teaching and research career at Purdue. Art was an internationally recognized expert in studies of bacillus and spore formation, including anthrax. His family all have fond memories of Art showing them how to use the microscopes in his lab. Art always insisted on doing things the right way rather than the easiest way, such as refusing to give multiple-choice tests. He loved helping students and was particularly proud of his PhD graduates who went on to have significant careers in teaching and/or research.
He was born in Boston, son of Simon and Belle (Himan) Aronson, and grew up in Newton, MA with older sister the late Ina (Hahn) and younger brother Marty Aronson. In 1956 he married Roslyn (Grinberg) Aronson, with whom he had two sons, Michael Aronson of Oakland, CA, and Steven Aronson of Westborough, MA.
In 1982 Art started a new phase of life when he married Margie Truelove and merged families with Margie's son David and daughter Amy. Art and Margie traveled widely to Europe, Asia, and Africa and were very active in local and national political and charitable causes. Art was Margie's primary caregiver for nine years until she died in 2016. More recently, Art enjoyed the companionship of his wonderful neighbors in the Capilano neighborhood and his cockapoo, Princess.
We remember Art as a committed teacher and a man who always supported the ambitions and dreams of his family: Mike's wife Jody and daughters Sonia and Beatrice; Steve's wife Mary and sons Mark (Blythe Riggan) and Joe (Maggie Newton, DDS); Ina's daughters Lisa, the late Pamela, and Lauri; Marty's wife Ellen Sax and prior wife, the late Myrna Aronson, and daughters Tracey Aronson and Jennifer Parker; Dave's wife Jamie Fazzalone and his children Alex, Sam, and Rachel; and Amy's husband Zachary Schiffman, PhD and children Aaron and Leah.
A celebration of Art's life will be held on October 18 in West Lafayette, IN. All who knew Art or Margie are welcome. Please RSVP at (510) 459-0667.