Arthur E. Obrock

After a long and meaningful life, Art died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by loved ones. Art was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend who is survived by his wife of 62 years, Madeleine (nee Martin); daughters Emily Davidson (Colin), Rachel Shry (Eric); grandchildren Zoe Davidson,o Graham Davidson, Ethan Shry, Audrey (nee Shry) Barron (Frank); brother William Obrock (Marilyn); and 40+ in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Art grew up in Brentwood, Missouri and received his undergraduate and doctorate degrees in Mathematics from Washington University, where he played varsity basketball, was a member of Phi Delta Theta, and met the love of his life, Madeleine. After teaching mathematics at Purdue University in Indiana, where his two children were born, Art settled in Shaker Heights, Ohio to continue his career as a professor at Case Western Reserve University, where he commuted by bicycle for decades through the snow and rain up Cedar Hill. His lifelong passion for mathematics was obvious to anyone who knew him, including the students at Ludlow Elementary School and Shaw High School, where he volunteered his time tutoring computer programming, algebra, and pre-calculus.

Art was a lifelong learner and constant explorer, who embraced life as an adventure to be shared with others. He took the family overseas to live in Germany for a year, hauled the family camper cross-country to explore the National Park system, learned carpentry skills to build and sail his own boat, rode his bike to the top of the Continental Divide, and when his daughter took up figure skating, built a backyard ice rink for all the neighborhood kids to enjoy. He loved games and mastering new skills, teaching himself to excel in basketball, tennis, bowling (both left and right-handed!), golf, chess, Go, Bridge, and Sudoku.

Extremely active most of his life, Art’s mobility decreased in recent years but never diminished his connections with loved ones. He regularly played in Bridge groups, gathered with friends, and traveled for family reunions, holiday get-togethers, and most recently his granddaughter’s wedding in San Antonio. Nothing gave him more joy than seeing his family growing and thriving.

Friends and neighbors are welcome to remember Art on Sunday, May 25 from noon to 3:00 p.m. with short tributes shared at 1:00 p.m.

The Chelsea Community Room, 3330 Warrensville Center Road, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to:

Hospice of the Western Reserve, In memory of Arthur Obrock.

PO Box 72101, Cleveland, Ohio 44192

www.hospicewr.org/donate