Arthur Benjamin Kayser, Jr.

Date of birth  - November 5, 1935

Date of death  - July 5, 2024

Arthur Benjamin Kayser, Jr. passed away peacefully at his Raleigh Hills home from congestive heart failure on July 21, 2024. He was 85.

Art was a man of faith, a pioneer in the computer industry, an avid outdoorsman, and a professional singer. Known for his sunny disposition and sense of humor, he recently quipped to his wife of 66 years, "At our age, when we pass, no one will say: 'Oh no! Cut down in the prime of life.'"

Art was born in Portland on July 29, 1938, to Ruth and Arthur Benjamin Kayser, Sr. His father was an early and trusted employee of Fred Meyer. Art had an older brother, Bruce, who survives. Art spent his youth at the family home on Southeast 64th, which in the 1940s, was on the outskirts of Portland.

In 1947, the family moved to a farm on the Molalla River, and Art's parents gave him a Jersey calf he named Suzette. Throughout his life, Art loved animals, especially the hunting dogs he trained to retrieve waterfowl. The family farm in Molalla was a welcoming place for aunts and uncles, several of whom were WWII veterans who loved to play cards with the boy they called Sonny.

At Molalla High School, Art met his beloved wife, Virginia Judd. Bonding over a passion for music, they wed at 19. Art and Virginia graduated from Portland State. They had three children: Jeffrey, Matthew, and Elisa.

Trained by IBM in 1958, Art worked on the 305 RAMAC, a model of the world's first hard disk drive computer. Jobs in computing followed at White Stag, Georgia Pacific, and the Oregon State System of Higher Education, where he created programs that were used nationwide. In the early 1970s, Art brought his visionary ideas to Computer Management Services Inc. (CMSI), eventually becoming a partner and VP.

When the company sold in the early 90s, Art focused on his grandchildren, often letting out a "whoop" after school performances or cheering from the sidelines at sporting events, some of which were at the Multnomah Athletic Club, where he was a member. He was a voracious reader, favoring historical fiction, biographies, literary works, and detective series. He also became a significant supporter of local nonprofits. Art and Virginia were board members of the Artist Repertory Theatre and avid fundraisers for the music program at First United Methodist Church.

Art had a melodic baritone voice. Professional highlights included being the bass soloist with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra in oratorio concerts like Handel's Messiah and Fauré Requiem, which was performed in the wake of President Kennedy's death. Art was the bass soloist at First Methodist for over 20 years and sang at Temple Beth Israel as well.

Casting next to his father on riverbanks, Art learned the rhythmic coordination, accuracy, and persistence needed for fly fishing. Art traveled to the corners of the globe in search of trout, bonefish, and tarpon. He was passionate about the conservation of fish habitat and was a founding member of the nonprofit Oregon Trout, which later became the Freshwater Trust. Art's family members and close friends brought him the most joy. He offered unconditional love and helped others see the best in themselves. When asked to reflect on his life, Art said, "I love that our kids live close to us, and we get to spend time with them. I am so proud of all our grandchildren."

Surviving members of his family include his wife Virginia Judd Kayser; children Jeffrey Kayser and his wife Anne, Matthew Kayser, Elisa Kayser Klein and her husband Steven; grandchildren Julia, Tom, Virginia, Benjamin, Mariel, Isabel, and Genevieve; two great-grandchildren, Ellis and Lowen; plus nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life is planned for 2 p.m., Sunday, September 15, at First United Methodist Church, 1838 SW Jefferson St., Portland, Ore., 97201. Family members would be pleased with donations to honor Art made to Freshwater Trust, or "Friends of Music" at First United Methodist.