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Arthur Pearl Memoriam

In Loving Memory
Arthur Pearl
April 23, 1922 - July 5, 2018
Beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather and mentor to thousands and former Santa Cruz resident Dr. Arthur "Art" Pearl passed away at 96 on July 5, 2018. Art was born on April 23, 1922 in the Bronx, New York, but moved to San Francisco at the age of 3.
After serving in the Army at the end of WWII he returned to San Francisco . While completing his education he was a dock worker and labor organizer. He received his Phd from U.C. Berkeley in Psychology.
After teaching at New York University and Howard University he settled in Oregon at the University of Oregon in Eugene.
He was the Dean of Education and started the New Careers for the Poor Program at University of Oregon. He ran for Governor of Oregon in 1970
He had a successful political radio program called "Art Pearl Against the World" which he revived in 2016 as a blog.
In 1972 he moved to Santa Cruz to teach Education at University of California at Santa Cruz. He was an active member of the community and the home he shared with his wife, Mary Pearl, was the center of many political and social justice movements. He served as the President of the School Board for three terms and lead numerous political campaigns.
In addition to his illustrious career as a professor he also authored many books including Landslide, The How and Why of Nixon's Victory, The Atrocity of Education and co-authored the Democratic Classroom. He also has taught in California prisons and created the Board of Education for the Department of Corrections in California. He was the Director of New York State's Division for Youth under Nelson Rockefeller. He was a principal speaker at the only White House Conference on Teaching the Disadvantaged. He was also a member and chair of the National Institute for Teaching of the Disadvantaged. He has been given a Martin Luther King, Jr. Lifetime Award And an award from the University of Oregon for his work in advancing social justice.
In 2001 he retired from U.C.S.C. and moved to Vancouver, Washington. He taught at WSU Vancouver for several years until returning to University of Oregon. He taught at University of Oregon until he was 94 years old.
His life impacted thousands of others. He dedicated himself to solving the problems that plagued our world and creating a legacy that will carry on the solutions he developed. He truly lived life to the fullest and was actively involved in supporting those around him until his last breath.
He is survived by his sister, Evie, his sons, Delevan and Daniel and daughters, Esther and Rachel, his grandchildren, Katya, Leah, Kaiya, Mila, Izzy, Lotus and Lucian and great granddaughters Scarlet, Stella, Roma and Sela and a legacy of fighting for our democracy. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Francis Pearl and his son, Henry "Hank" Pearl.
Please go to http://www.anewtradition.com/obituaries/obituary/16171_Arthur_Pearl for information on memorial services.


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Published by Santa Cruz Sentinel on Jul. 22, 2018.

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Jane Parks-McKay

June 17, 2021

We just learned about Art's passing, we are so very sorry. Before we became his neighbors, we knew about his good work at UC Santa Cruz. He was so well loved and well respected. We were delighted to get to know him and his wife Mary. So many long running political careers started at that house and I never met anyone who was not his student who became a teacher themselves who did not have glowing things to say about him. He was an inspiration to me. Rest in Peace Art, we love you and miss you and thank you for leaving a legacy with so many. You are with your dear Mary now.

Richard Mitchell

October 10, 2018

In 1965 Art asked me to be a counselor in his Upward Bound anti-poverty program. It changed my life. From Art I learned-as a teacher, high school principal, and N.Y. State Prison Commissioner-how to listen to those society had maligned and forgotten. To Art Pearl poverty wasn't only about money. I remember how he would sit on the edge of his desk in that gravelly voice smoking a cigar and lecturing to a packed University of Oregon classroom about his vision for a more just and caring democracy. God, please, send Art Pearl back-we need him now more than ever.

Shepherd Siegel

July 25, 2018

Oregonian, longshoreman, organizer, UC Santa Cruz professor, educational leader, and a whole lot more, Art probably had more influence on me and my educational practice than any other single individual. Rest in peace, friend and mentor!

Peter SORENSEN

July 24, 2018

Art was an inspiration. He and Mary were wonderful friends and neighbors. We spent many evenings sharing memories of San Francisco. Art and Pete were true S. F. Giant fans. As a couple they were the heart of our neighborhood. He will be missed. Pete and Mary Lou Sorensen

Douglas Deitch

July 23, 2018

Now he belongs to the angels...

Cindy Morley

July 22, 2018

Art profoundly influenced me as a teacher. He believed human rights were for everyone, no exceptions and never ever backed away from a healthy debate. He came to visit my sixth grade class years ago to speak to my students. A topic came up and one of my students took issue with something Art said. With a twinkle in his eye Art took him into a lively debate and then at the end came over and shook the student's hand and told him he enjoyed the conversation and said the student would go far in life because he was will to challenge ideas. This student is now a lawyer in San Francisco. Art you made a difference in people's lives. None of us could ask for a more important legacy.

jennifer battey

July 22, 2018

I remember him cheering Esther (our good luck charm player) on mid county youth soccer team! Jenni Battey

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