ARTHUR M. SPIRO

SPIRO--Arthur M. Born November 10, 1925, Died peacefully on March 16th , 2013 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. Arthur is survived by his beloved wife, the love of his life of 59 years Joan (Goldstein), his four precious daughters, Diane Spiro Kletz, Lyn (Michael) Paul, Susan Spiro Stone, and Carol Spiro Feldman, and nine adored grandchildren, Robert (Ludmila) Paul and Stuart Paul, Max Stone and Samantha Stone, Alison Feldman, Megan Feldman, and Daniel Feldman, Sam Kletz and Bethany Kletz, as well as many cherished lifelong friends. Funeral 1:00pm on Sunday, March 17th, Temple Beth El of Great Neck. Raised in Belle Harbor, Rockaways. Attended Clemson College (then all military US Army ROTC, now Clemson University) then Cornell University USNR V-12 College Training Program, WWII Lieut (j.g.) Asiatic Pacific Theater, Attack Transports (APA's). B.S. Chemical and Textile Engineering Clemson University and M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology followed by fifty years in the Textile Industry as technician, designer, manufacturer and merchant, leading to Executive Management positions with Robbins Mills, Industrial Rayon Corp., United Merchants and Manufacturers (all N.Y.S.E.) then as an entrepreneur with ownership in Waumbec Mills, then as an investor with Charterhouse Group International, Carleton Woolen Mills, Perfect Fit Industries, Golding Industries, Tex Tech Industries and Tex Tech Industries, Ireland of which he was Chairman and CEO among others. He formed his own management consulting firm AMSTEX Enterprises Inc. He served actively in many trade organizations, including having been President of both the American Association for Textile Technology and The Textile Distributors Association. A pioneer in the development of man-made fiber products and holder of two successful patents, he was among the first to market flame retardant drapery fabrics, woven stretch fabrics for apparel and ski wear, textured polyester double knits and was a leader in introducing nylon for floor coverings. His owned companies were the world's largest suppliers of fabrics for billiard/gaming table covers Carleton and tennis balls Tex Tech. A technologist and merchant, he was credited with bringing textile technology to the marketplace. The writer of numerous publications and speaker at industry conferences, guest appearances on radio and TV, he received many honors including membership in the Society of Sigma XI at MIT, an Honorary PhD, Beta Gamma Sigma and Distinguished Alumni Award from Clemson University and the Textile Veterans Achievement Award. After selling Carleton Woolen Mills and his ownership in Tex Tech Industries, he retired to pursue an active fifteen years of philanthropy in education and medical research, to make a difference, which he did with success at Clemson, including being an adjunct Professor in the College of Business and Behavioral Sciences, Trustee of the University Foundation, member of the President's Advisory Council and with his wife Joan, in founding the Arthur M. Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership. He was an Honorary Trustee and past member of the Executive Committee at North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System and was the Founding Chairman of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research (most recently Chairman Emeritus.) Board of Trustees and Member of the Executive Committee at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory where he was Chairman of the DNA Learning Center, Honorary Trustee of Temple Beth El of Great Neck. He was a world traveler and fly fisherman, avid golfer, member of Fresh Meadow Country Club, LaCosta, California Country Club, Clemson University Golf Club and Past President of the Lake Success Golf Club, skier and tennis player, Although later physically limited by sports injuries he continued fishing and playing golf, not content to be just a spectator, he was always active in giving of himself to try and make the world a better place.