Portland, ME- Arthur Frederick Schassberger, 91, died on April 17, 2018. Art was born June 27, 1926, a son of William and Louise (Seyfried) Schassberger, and grew up in Mt. Vernon, New York. He served in the Army Air Corps before attending Purdue University where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and met his wife of 68 years, Mary Alice (Lindgren).
He started his career at Youngstown Sheet & Tube Steel in East Chicago before joining Essex Wire in 1965. Art’s management expertise (He was known as the “fix it guy”) led him to shore up plants in South Carolina, California and Indiana. He and Mary Alice retired in 1986 to West Baldwin, Maine.
Although officially retired, Art used his engineering skills to build a log home on their new Maine homestead. He donated countless hours to the United Methodist Church as a trustee and choir member and was a tireless volunteer for the Good Shepherd Food Bank
Their love of travel took Art and Mary Alice to every state and over 30 countries. They enjoyed learning about cultures new to them and making friends worldwide. When their travels brought them back to the states their favorite pastime was engaging with their grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his sister Caroline and his son, James. Art is survived by his wife, Mary Alice; 3 sons, Jeff and his wife Holly and their children, Sarah and her husband Abe, Brandon and his wife Michele, and Allison and her husband Dustin; Don and his wife Katie and their daughters, Lauren and Molly; John and his wife Cindy and their sons, Jack and Parker; as well as eight great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please express a kindness to your neighbors. A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Monday, April 23, 2018, at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, ME 04103.
Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to sign Art’s online guest book.
