Charles Daniels Arthur, 87, passed away March 29, 2004, at Maryview Medical Center, Portsmouth, after a long battle with diabetes and heart ailments. Born in Reading, Pa., April 11, 1916, he was preceded in death by his parents, John E. III and Sara Daniels Arthur; his brother, Col. (retired) John E. IV and first wife, Esther; and his sister, Ruth Arthur Anderton and husband John. He is survived by his sister-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, nephews, cousins and friends from Virginia, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, California and Canada. As a young man, Charles Arthur was always the adventurer and leader. In high school, he enrolled in the Civilian Military Training Camp program, through which he earned an Army scholarship to Washington-Jefferson College in Pennsylvania. This enabled him to secure an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy (Class of 1940). He resigned for medical reasons after his Plebe year, later resuming academics at the University of Pittsburgh where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics. Subsequent education included Harvard University Graduate School, Wilmington Law School, the University of Innsbruck, Austria, the University of London (School of Economics, School of Oriental and African Studies), and the University of Rhode Island. He earned a masters degree in Asian History from Cambridge University, and Ph.D. from the University of London. He also taught at the American School in Switzerland and the Newport School in Rhode Island, prior to becoming a full professor of Asian and African History with Pennsylvania State University, until his retirement in 1991.Most of his life embodied his love of the sea. As early as 1937, he began working on merchant ships navigating the globe, and from 1941-47, Charles was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He retired from active Merchant Marine service in 1988 at age 72, culminating a career spanning 50 years as a professional Mariner. This fusion of diverse disciplines served him well while living abroad in Europe, North Africa, India and the Far East. While in Hong Kong and Bangkok, Thailand, Charles owned and manager a commercial export/trading company. As a member of the international community, he found time to be involved in cultural activities, academic studies, sports and general social life. The arts were a vital part of Charles psyche. An accomplished classical pianist, musician and vocalist, he also excelled in writing, and painting in oil and water colors. He was also an avid sportsman and his love of the outdoors prompted interest in diverse activities, such as equestrian sports (field hunting, dressage and polo), tennis, climbing, skiing, fishing, hunting, sailing and flying/gliding.As a member of the Masonic Fraternity, Charles participated while living abroad. In 1997, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania presented him with the Fifty-Year Gold Award, a most prestigious honor for continuous, active participation. His life experiences were unending; he always thrived on challenges. Until his death, Charles D. Arthur continued to have a vivacious outlook on life. His love of adventure, of music and art, and his ultimate kindness and desire to assist others, will be missed by those who knew and loved him. He will be remembered by all, as a truly modern Renaissance man. Memorial services are currently being planned, with final interment at the St. Andrews Anglican Church in Tangiers, Morocco. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, OH 44720.

[The Virginian-Pilot(Norfolk, VA), 04/4/04