Lasting Memories

Arthur Grantz
Nov. 9, 1927-Nov. 18, 2021
Palo Alto, California

Arthur Grantz passed away peacefully on November 18, surrounded by his loving family. He had just celebrated his 94th birthday with family when he fell ill and was put in hospice care at home.

Art was born on November 9, 1927 to William and Adele Grantz, in the Bronx, New York, and raised in Yonkers, New York alongside his sister Charlotte G. Neumann. He graduated from The Bronx High School of Science in 1945 and Cornell University in 1949. He then embarked upon his career as a Geologist with the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) where his first assignment was working on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. Art had never been outside of New York when he was assigned to Alaska. His first plane rides ended on a puddle jumper to the middle of nowhere, where he fell in love with the wilderness and his new career. He did field work by small boat, on foot, by horseback, by icebreaker, and was one of the first people to do field work by helicopter. While at the Survey, he was awarded his MS and PhD from Stanford University in 1961 and 1966, respectively. His career with USGS, spanning June 1949 through October 1995 and as Emeritus for several years thereafter, included outstanding research accomplishments in the field of both onshore and offshore Alaskan and Arctic geology. His scientific leadership in the study of environmental geology, earthquake hazards reduction, and the geology of Alaska are internationally renowned and well documented in scientific journals and publications as are his examination of the geologic history, resource potential and geo-environmental hazards of the Arctic Ocean.

Art shared his love of hiking, sea kayaking, skiing, gardening, and the outdoors with his children, whom he took on long walks through the redwoods and on beaches, introduced to elephant seals and camped with in Yosemite and other beautiful places. He enjoyed wildlife in Africa, the Galapagos and Glacier Bay with his wife and family as well as the attractions of cities around the globe. He also ingrained and modeled a strong sense of social justice and conservation.

Arthur is preceded in death by his former wife Willene Hatcher Grantz and is survived by his loving wife Marsha Grantz, his sister Charlotte G. Neumann (husband Alfred), and his children David Grantz (wife Mary), Eric Grantz (wife Joan), Carol Bohan (husband Kevin) and Sally Jones (husband Randy). He is also survived by his grandchildren Caroline Grantz, Emily Grantz, Juliet O’Barr, Daniel Grantz, Ryan Bohan and Jake Plafker and his great-grandchildren Wells O’Barr, Laila O’Barr, Maddison Plafker, McKenzie Plafker, and Beatrice Grantz as well as his stepchildren Shaun Green and Christie Green and their children, Lila Green, Audrey Green, and Olivia Green and an aunt and several nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service will be held in Spring of 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations in Art’s memory may be made to Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) www.openspacetrust.org/donate or Jewish Family and Children’s Services www.jfcs.org/donate/