Art Soewardiman

Art was born on August 11, 1948 in Magelang, Indonesia. Art is survived by his wife, Helen Soewardiman, and his children Peter, Henry, Nicole, and Lintang.

Art’s journey from Indonesia started when he worked on the Holland American Line cruise ship after graduating from the National Hotel Institute in Bandung, Indonesia. On the cruise ship, he met a retired couple who sponsored him and gave him the opportunity to go to college in Springfield, Massachusetts.

He worked full time while going to college to support his mother and siblings since his own father passed away young.

When he graduated from college, he wanted to return home to Indonesia and find a job there, but since he had no connections to higher ranking personnel in any companies there, he decided to settle in the US and built a life for himself here.

Art was a hard working individual who had a very strong will to succeed. He started in the Food industry business as a manager of Howard Johnson and then Wendy’s, and then pivoted and became an insurance agent. However, Art found his true passion in real estate: buying 3-family homes, renting out 2 units, and living in the remaining one to help pay for the mortgage. And after a few years, he would resell the entire multifamily home and purchase a new one to repeat the cycle.

Due to his financial status, he primarily purchased fixer upper properties and learned to fix them himself. But he always made sure to support his mother and siblings, and visit them when he could.

During one trip to Bandung, he met his wife, Helen. They raised their children, Peter and Henry, in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and finally North Carolina where they would settle down to escape the cold New England winters.

In his spare time, Art would enjoy eating the occasional apple turnover or Neapolitan ice cream. And when he was happy he would often sing anything from traditional Indonesian music, to modern music, or even his own tunes. He will be missed.

Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfhsedgefield.com.