Arthur J. Krusz

Arthur J. Krusz, age 88, died at Heartland Health Care Center on Sunday, November 30, 2014. Art was born on November 19, 1926, in St. Louis, Missouri; the son of August and Josephine Krusz. In 1944, after graduating from high school, Art enlisted in the army and became a radio man. Just before he was to leave for overseas, the bombs were dropped on Japan and the war ended. After serving in post-war China and surviving Typhoid Fever, Art returned home. He attended Washington University, in St. Louis, under the G.I. Bill, graduating with a degree in art. It was there that he met Doris Terrell, another art student, who describes her feelings when she met him as "love at first sight." In 1951, after graduating and marrying, Art and Dorie moved to New York so that Art could pursue his passion to become an illustrator, although advertising would become his main career. They moved to Grosse Pointe Woods in 1962, where he and Dorie raised their two sons, Tom and Jim. After retiring, Art spent several years teaching figure drawing at Macomb Community College. Over the course of Art's successful career, he illustrated books and boardgames and had several cartoons published in Playboy magazine. However, painting was Art's hobby and his life. Most of his spare time was spent in his basement studio painting landscapes, portraits, and animals, mostly in watercolor. He regularly entered and received recognition for paintings in local art shows, including the Grosse Pointe Artist's Association, of which he was a member. Art is survived by Dorie, his wife of 63 years; son Thomas and his wife, Tracey; grandchildren, Alex, Andrew, Elizabeth, Matthew, and Mary; and his brother-in-law David Terrell and his wife, Diana. Art was predeceased by his son, Jim. Memorials may be made to the Grosse Pointe Art Center, 17118 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe, MI 48230. Funeral arrangements are private.

Funeral Home:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe

20705 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236