Arthur Alan Ferrier Sr.
Our beloved father Arthur Ferrier passed away on Wednesday August 21st in Las Vegas, Nevada at the age of 78 years.
Born in North Charleroi, PA on September 17, 1945, Arthur was a decorated member of the Boys Scouts of America, achieving the prestigious Eagle Scout designation. He attended Belmar High School in Belle Vernon, PA in which he played both high school football and basketball, with honors in football as a running back, graduating high school in 1963. Arthur would go on to attend college at both West Virginia University and California State College. Arthur was fascinated by and excelled at science and mathematics, earning his bachelor’s degree in physics. He made the most of his early life in Pennsylvania, racing his green 1963 Corvette Stingray at the raceways of western PA, enjoying time exploring the woods and eventually marrying his wife, Barbara that he met in the first grade.
In 1967 Arthur, Barbara and their toddler son Arthur Jr. moved to California, originally settling in Santa Monica when Arthur began working at Hughes Aircraft. Their second son Gregg was born after the move to California. Arthur had a deep patriotic love of his country which combined with his talent at science resulted in a lifelong career in the aerospace industry.
In the late 1960s the young family moved to Santa Barbara, where Arthur took a position with G.E. Tempo. Eventually he worked locally for aerospace firms including at Vandenberg AFB.
Arthur enjoyed many hobbies and interests while living in Santa Barbara during the 1970s and early 1980s. He was an avid skin diver and spearfisherman, spearing many delicious fish and catching lobster and abalone for his family to enjoy from diving the kelp beds and reefs near Hendry’s Beach, Gaviota and other local dive spots.
Arthur also was a photographer with his own darkroom for processing photos. He was especially fond of black and white photography with which he won photography awards including a Nikon Recognition of Excellence. He especially enjoyed photographing the Santa Ynez area, the Old Mission, waterfront and Death Valley. He successfully sold prints of his photos at the Santa Barbara Cabrillo Art Show in the 1970s. These sidewalk exhibitions became enjoyable family outings.
Arthur and Barbara were both active in local theater during the 1970s, including productions at the Lobero Theater. These plays included The Country Girl and The Fantasticks. Arthur studied drama earlier during his time in Santa Monica.
In the 1980s Arthur went to work for EG&G Special Projects in Las Vegas Nevada. The family kept residences in both Santa Barbara and Las Vegas. Arthur retired from the aerospace industry in 2014 and remained in Las Vegas for the remainder of his life.
He will be fondly remembered for his sense of humor, self-sufficient approach to life’s obstacles, dedication to his work and love of movies and music, especially Santana and the blues as well as his favorite sports teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Vegas Golden Knights. Many great memories were shared by our father of his interesting life experiences.
We dearly miss you dad.