Arthur Vedejs

and friends. He was born in Riga, Latvia, on June 2, 1937, to Velta Mateus (Robežnieks) and

Nicholas Vedejs.

He emigrated to the U.S. in 1950 after six years living in German displaced persons camps with his grandmother, mother and younger brother, Ed. Art recalled narrowly escaping bombing of DP camps behind them, demolished railroad tracks ahead of them and sirens, air raids and artillery attacks all around them. Still he thrived under the fierce and devoted care of his mother and camp community. Like many there, he contracted and barely survived diphtheria. Art started school in the camp. With other first graders, he was charged with retrieving empty cartridges to be recycled. He told of boyhood adventures in the war-torn Black Forrest that later horrified his mother. As adults, he and Ed enjoyed visiting Latvia and their ancestral home. Art cared about his culture and made on-going contributions to Latvian

educational programs. The challenges endured during and after WWII served as a sturdy

foundation for Art to become a resilient person of purpose, passion and many extraordinary

accomplishments.

Art received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. He joined the U.S. Navy

though he did not see active duty. He earned his Ph.D. in Engineering from New York

University. He had a 30-year career at Bell Labs where he was listed as an inventor on

numerous U.S. engineering patents. Moreover, he led a team that designed, developed and

successfully deployed the Trans-Atlantic Fiber-Optic Cable under the ocean floor.

Art and wife, Ilona (deceased), lived in Peachtree Corners, GA, since 1972. He became

well-known and loved in the neighborhood, filling many roles including serving as President of

the Association and “flagging” the neighborhood for U.S. holidays. He meticulously cared for

his home and lawn, taking pride whenever awarded, “Yard of the Month”. He also savored

winning the annual Chili Cook Off Trophy two years in a row. Art was generous in sharing his

diverse talents in this close-knit, family-like community.

Art volunteered for several organizations. For decades, he and friend Johnnie volunteered at

the Hudgens Center for Art and Learning. He spent countless hours building exhibits,

designing robots, grooming the pond, tending the garden, and photographing events. He

treasured mentoring scores of young people who attended the SMART Program at the Center.

The Director noted that Art deeply impacted the lives of these youth and enhanced “every

square inch” of the Center.

Art enjoyed scuba diving and doing so with a group of friends who went to Little Caymen and

elsewhere annually. This interest and skill led to a long relationship with the Georgia Aquarium,

where Art volunteered over 2,000 hours. Art had a lifelong interest in photography. His prints remain spectacular, made with his signature precision and perfection. Art also developed wood-working skills, creating furniture, and crafts with intricate, interlocking pieces. His broad knowledge made him interesting,

entertaining, and informative— ever sending articles to others to keep them in-the-know!

Beyond his many gifts of intellect, character, good-looks and charm, he cared about his family

and friends. While he and Ilona had no children, Art was the “favorite uncle” and beloved brother and cousin of many as well as a dear friend to countless others. In essence, he was a

Renaissance man, a scholar and a gentleman who will be sorely missed.

The family thanks Kristy and Robert Hilburn, Drs. Laura and Brad Lord, Heidi Vorpahl, Kay and

Jane his caregivers during his illness, and other neighborhood and family members for their

extraordinary help in caring for Art and ensuring his peaceful passing. Art valued how his

family and surrogate family from near and far joined together around him in his last days.

Art will be missed by: companion Johnnie Rowe; brother in-law Jim Searn (Mary Ellen);

sister-in-law Pat Anderson; nephew Michael (Trudy Davis) Vedejs; nieces Laura (Casey) Fechter,

Sarah (Jeremy) Sweigart, Christina (Jacques) Mersereau, Jesikah (Dominick) Cordova and Julia

(John) Vander Meer; cousins Ilze Cieslak and daughter Kristen (Phil) Maguran, Mara (Ken)

Hofmeyer and daughter Katherine (Will) Gorncy, Jana (Peter) Āboliņš and son Andris (Holly),

Dainis (Madeleine ) Vedejs and family; Brita(John) and Nik; former sister-in-law Melita Vedejs.

Art was preceded in death by parents, wife Ilona, brother Edwin and cousin-in-law Martin Cieslak.

A memorial service will be held at the Hudgens Center for Art and Learning on Saturday

February 26, at 2 PM.

Donations in Art’s honor may be made to the Hudgens Center for Art

and Learning, University of Michigan, Riga Technical University or a charity of your choice.