Arthur Martin Mintz
Arthur Martin Mintz left this earth peacefully, surrounded by family and pets, on April 15, 2019 at age 83. Parkinson’s was the only health problem he could not defeat. Born on April 4, 1936 to Raeh and Sidney Mintz, Arthur grew up in Chicago, an only child in a loving extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins. Arthur attended The Harvard School for Boys and went on to Undergraduate and Law School at Northwestern University.
Throughout his mostly charmed life in Chicago and later in Woodside, CA, Arthur wove his law and business careers with his love of new adventures, mystery and travel. Open and accepting of all beliefs and life paths, with a big smile and contagious joy for life, he frequently acquired new friends in restaurants, shops and on trips, often developing them into lifelong friendships. He reveled in sharing his amazing life experiences with friends and family and in teaching each of his six children similar appreciations.
Arthur was a Renaissance man: a Military Veteran who became a successful Attorney, for over 20 years in Chicago, and later an Attorney and Businessman in CA. Initially Arthur found Lost Heirs, restoring forgotten funds to many. Later he held a seat on The Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Arthur knew and loved opera and poetry, while also being an adventurer, a sportsman, a sailor, a farmer and “cattleman”, a horseman and even a cowboy. Arthur also served his communities in varied roles, ranging from the Portola Valley Schools Foundation and The Parent Board at Eagle Hill School, Hardwick, MA, to becoming Captain of The San Mateo County Mounted Patrol in 2003, an early Board member of the now Horse Park at Woodside and supporter of NCEFT. More recently, he became a proud member of The Family, especially enjoying events at The Family Farm in Woodside.
He valued education for each of his six children and was totally accepting, supportive and incredibly proud of their varied and individual life choices. Rabbi Sydney thrilled him, especially when he attended her sermons; Arthur was excited about Mark’s early business achievements and loved sharing in his subsequent success in real estate; from the beginning, Arthur totally supported Cunda’s choice to become a Bhuddist Monk; Sarah’s work to improve the health and lives of many in Africa and other third world countries was a source of huge pride; he was especially thrilled that Allison chose to follow both him and his dad into The Law, living to see Allison sworn in after passing the D.C. Bar; and finally Arthur adored our sweet Elizabeth, a Home Healthcare Worker. Elizabeth lived with us for two of her dad’s final weeks, sharing her dad’s care with Abby with complete kindness, faith, gentleness and devotion, helping to give him peace and comfort with the use of her essential oils, treatments and foods.
Arthur is survived by his loving partner and wife of 43 years, Abby Sanders Mintz and his six children: Sydney (Ellen) Mark, Ajahn Cunda, Sarah (Tito Llantada), Allison and Elizabeth. Also, his “Godson”, Dave Siebs (Sharon), and sons August and Erik, and his precious grandchildren, Sienna, Elijah, Gabriel, and newborn, Alia Grace Llantada. Additionally, he is survived by his first wife, Ila Lewis, mother of Sydney, Mark and Cunda, and his acquired Sanders siblings, Victoria (Hank), Bob and Dave. He will also be remembered by numerous cousins, their children and by his many friends.
Arthur was a True Warrior, successfully battling a number of life threatening illnesses for over 21 years, earning him the nickname “Nine Lives”. He had a will to live like no other, with a fighting spirit that enabled him to defeat every enemy except the last, Parkinson’s. For this reason, Arthur’s family Is hopeful that any gifts which might be given in memory of ARTHUR M. MINTZ, go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, for Parkinson’s Research where 88% of every dollar goes to finding a cure for this terrible disease.
Services for Arthur will be held this Sunday, May 5th, at 11:00am, at Westlawn Cemetary in Norridge. We will then congregate at the home of Ila Lewis, 246 Vernon Ave., Glencoe, for Luncheon and Memories.