Arthur Peter Martin Bieri, affectionately known as “Art,” passed away on August 15, 2026 at age 95. Born June 4, 1931, in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, Art went on to build a remarkable life centered around education, service, and a genuine desire to make life better for those around him. He called Stillwater, Oklahoma home from 1955 until his passing, leaving behind a legacy that touched generations of students, families, and members of the community.

Art was born to Oscar Charles Bieri and Helen Cecilia Bieri. He grew up in Long Branch, New Jersey, where he graduated from Long Branch High School. He continued his education at Trenton State Teachers College and Bowling Green State University before making his way to Oklahoma. At Oklahoma A&M College, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree, completing four years of study in just three years. He later earned a Master of Science degree in physical education from Oklahoma State University in 1964 and received Oklahoma's Standard State Certificate in School Administration in 1971. His lifelong commitment to learning also led him to further study at the Universities of Alabama and California.

Art's commitment to service began with his country. Art served the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1955, attaining the rank of staff sergeant, and served in the Korean War from 1952 to 1953. His military service earned him the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Korean Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Ribbon with four battle stars, and United Nations Service Ribbon with Oak Leaf Cluster for combat.

Before beginning his career in Stillwater, Art student taught physical education at Cushing Junior High School and was subsequently employed by Cushing Public Schools as a physical education teacher and coach.

In 1958, Art began what would become a 28-year career with Stillwater Public Schools. During his years in education, he taught elementary physical education for 12 years, served as supervisor of elementary physical education and assistant principal, and ultimately became principal of both Lincoln and Highland Park Elementary Schools.

For Art, education was never simply a profession. It was a calling.

He believed that every child deserved the opportunity to learn, grow, participate, and succeed. Among his many contributions to Stillwater schools was the development of a fitness and recreation program for children with special needs. He devoted considerable time to creating opportunities for children who might otherwise have been left on the sidelines.

Art also helped inaugurate Stillwater's first book fair with Mike Hopkins at Lincoln Elementary School. What began as a single school event eventually grew into a much larger program throughout the Stillwater Public Schools contributing to expanded library facilities and annual book fairs at elementary schools across the community. At Highland Park Elementary, he established a standard bus procedure for the school's safety patrols, reflecting the attention he gave to even the smallest details when the safety and well-being of children were involved.

His influence extended well beyond Stillwater. Art served in numerous professional and civic leadership roles involving health, physical education, recreation, aquatics, children and youth, and special-needs education. He served as executive director of the Oklahoma Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and was appointed by Governor Dewey F. Bartlett to the Oklahoma White House Conference Committee on Children and Youth. He was also involved with the National Intramural Sports Council, the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, the Oklahoma Education Association, the National Education Association, and the Stillwater Education Association, among many other organizations.

Art's passion for helping people with special needs was especially evident through his work in aquatics. He was appointed through the Council for National Cooperation in Aquatics and the Kennedy Foundation to help develop educational materials for teaching swimming to individuals with special needs. He authored several guides and publications, including A Practical Guide for Teaching Physical Education in the Stillwater Public Schools, How We Do It Game Book, Action Games, A Swimming Program for the Handicapped, and A Practical Guide for Teaching Those with Special Needs to Swim.

His commitment to helping others was not limited to his professional life. Art was an active member of Highland Park United Methodist Church and the Stillwater Lions Club and was also involved with the Stillwater Moose Lodge and Elks Lodge. He served on the boards of the Payne County Guidance Center, Payne County Council for Special Needs Children, and the Sheltered Workshop. He served as chairman of the American Red Cross and chaired Red Cross youth service programs and the citywide book fair. He was involved in countless community meetings, organizations, and planning efforts, always looking for another way to contribute.

Art's service to the American Red Cross was particularly extraordinary. Beginning in 1955, he volunteered extensively in aquatics and completed more than 500 hours of service over a period of more than 14 years. Through swimming rescues between 1955 and 1980, he was credited with saving 21 lives. In 1961, he received the American Red Cross Merit Award for lifesaving, the highest award presented by the organization, after saving a life through mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. He also received a Bronze Medallion Award for service to humanity and saving lives.

In 1965, Art was recognized as a state and regional leader in physical fitness and was selected as one of the top 12 physical education and fitness leaders in the United States. He was also honored as an outstanding young educator in Stillwater.

Art's dedication to his responsibilities was remarkable. During his 28 years with Stillwater Public Schools, from 1958 through 1986, he was absent for only 14 days because of illness. Combined with four years of military service without an absence, he spent 32 years serving his country and community with only 14 days away from his duties.

Yet those who knew Art are likely to remember more than simply his degrees, titles, awards, or accomplishments. They will remember the man. Seeing him around town in his unmistakable 1965 white Ford pickup. Others will remember a teacher, principal, coach, neighbor, church member, or friend who was always willing to help.

Above all, Art will be remembered as someone who believed that a life was meant to be lived in service to others. He spent his life teaching children, serving his country, rescuing those in danger, advocating for individuals with special needs,

strengthening his community, and creating opportunities for others to thrive.

His was truly a life of service, a life spent making other people's lives better.

Art's legacy lives on in the students he taught, the educators he influenced, the lives he saved, the programs he helped create, and the community he served for more than seven decades.

Having had a fierce love for his children, Art is survived by daughter Donna, her sweetheart Kent Stephenson, son John and wife Terri , grandson Joshua Arthur and wife Cynthia and granddaughter Avery Lillian and her partner, Taite McGrady.

Also surviving is Art's brother Bobby, his wife Diane, his sister Patty, and brother in law Jimmie Brillhart. His twin sister Joan Fecher predeceased him as well as his first wife Alvena and second wife Teresa.

A tribute to Art will be held in the Stillwater Community Center Friday, September 25th at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the American Red Cross. https://raise.redcross.org/ArthurBieri

We are looking forward to seeing you and celebrating our Dad!