Dr. Arthur "Art" Mittler

Dr. Arthur "Art" Mittler obituary, Methuen, MA

Dr. Arthur "Art" Mittler

Arthur Mittler Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. - Lawrence on Jan. 18, 2026.
Arthur Mittler, 82, of Methuen, MA passed away very unexpectedly, January 15, 2026.

He was the son of the late Jean and Jack Mittler. "Art" was born and raised in New Jersey. A graduate of Drew University, he went on to complete his Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics at the University of Kentucky.

For the next 56 years, he was a faculty member in the Physics and Applied Physics department of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, rising to the rank of Professor. For the past two-and a-half years he served as department chair. An active researcher and publisher, he also worked for many years overseeing the undergraduate program as well as the physics laboratories. He co-founded the Lowell Regional Physics Alliance (LRPA) and procured grants from the National Science Foundation for the enrichment of students and teachers alike.

A resident of Methuen, MA since 2005, Art enjoyed comedy, the outdoors, socializing with friends, attending car shows, and taking EV road trips with his wife. Prior to moving to Methuen, he was a long-time resident of Chelmsford, MA, where he was a constant fixture in helping run several local youth athletics associations.

Art is survived by his wife Marcia L. Burns-Mittler, his son Kevin Mittler and daughter-in-law Robin (Strout) Mittler, his sister Freda DeFosse, sister-in-law Edith Erdman and her husband John, brother-in-law Howard Blohm and his wife Anne, numerous nieces, nephews, their families, as well as the extended Lawlor & Gallagher relatives of his wife. He also leaves an abundance of friends and colleagues from his many years as part of the communities of Chelmsford, Methuen, and UMass-Lowell. He was predeceased by his first wife Evelyn (Blohm) Mittler, and his sisters Lorraine Suckle and Iris Haber.

Calling hours will take place from 2 – 8 pm on Friday, January 23, 2026 at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, 122 Amesbury St., Lawrence. A funeral service and burial will take place at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence, on Saturday, January 24th, at 11 a.m. Please meet at the funeral home at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Arthur's name to: The Breast Cancer Research Foundation https://www.bcrf.org/ or Adopt A Bee/Rooftop Garden, Boston Medical Center, Office of Development, 960 Massachusetts Ave. 2nd Flr, Boston, MA 02118 (please put in memory of Arthur Mittler in the check memo). For online condolences and other information, please visit https://www.breenfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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January 30, 2026

Tom Shea posted to the memorial.

January 27, 2026

John McKelliget posted to the memorial.

January 23, 2026

KevinPetersen & KerryPatenaude posted to the memorial.

Tom Shea

January 30, 2026

my colleague and friend for over 30 years... no words to describe how amazing he was, and its hard to handle writing "was."

John McKelliget

January 27, 2026

Art was a great friend and colleague at UML.

Peaceful Reflections

KevinPetersen & KerryPatenaude

Sent Sympathy Gifts including Flowers

David Pullen

January 22, 2026

It is with great sadness to know I have lost a dear friend and colleague in Art´s passing. In the early 90´s we collaborated closely in co-founding the Lowell Regional Physics Alliance, a program for high school science teachers which became a major outreach program of the Physics Department. We both looked forward to our regular meetings to plan the next Alliance gathering, but which generally ended with a great deal of laughter as the discussions turned more toward department and college affairs. He will be greatly missed.
David Pullen

Marvin Stick

January 21, 2026

It was always a delight to be with Art, to share UML committee assessments with him and to just talk together. He was truly a wonderful and caring person and will be missed.

Steve Pennell

January 21, 2026

Art was a great teacher, colleague, and friend. The world is a sadder place now.

Venu Venugopal

January 20, 2026

He was my PhD co-advisor (1992) picture and last picture I took of him (standing behind) at the Holiday Party at Space Science department UMass Dec `25.
Venu Venugopal

Jim Whitten

January 20, 2026

Art was a dedicated educator and a wonderful colleague. He was a great man who treated everyone with kindness. We should all aspire to leave this as our legacy.

James Marques

January 20, 2026

I knew Professor Mittler from my undergraduate studies in the 1980s. He, Professor Tom Marsella, Professor James Egan, and others, impressed me as I went through Physics 1, 2, and 3. Great people who lead our educational facilities.

Jerome L. Hojnacki

January 20, 2026

With my deepest sympathy. Art was an absolutely terrific person with which to work. He was a genuinely good and honorable person who was always professional and dedicated to the University of Massachusetts Lowell family. I will miss his wonderful personality. Sincerely, Jerome L Hojnacki, Biology Professor Emeritus and former Dean of the Graduate School.

Kim Lister

January 20, 2026

I was only a fleeting presence in the Physics Department at Lowell, but Art was fantastically warm and welcoming. His deep knowledge of the Institution and his willingness to share his knowledge were very important to me when getting started. I will miss him and have fond memories of working with him.

C.J. (Kim) Lister

Richard Siegel

January 20, 2026

UMass Lowell will just not be the same without Art. No matter the circumstance, one could always count on him for a smile.

Gus P. Couchell

January 20, 2026

Dear Marcia,

My deepest sympathy to you and your families for the passing of Art. He was a dear friend, colleague, neighbor (Chelmsford), office neighbor (UML Physics) and comforter (at the passing of my wife, Rosmarie). May the fond memories of our many common endeavors sustain us in our grief. Stay strong,

Gus Couchell

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Sign Arthur Mittler's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

January 30, 2026

Tom Shea posted to the memorial.

January 27, 2026

John McKelliget posted to the memorial.

January 23, 2026

KevinPetersen & KerryPatenaude posted to the memorial.