Sadly, Arthur Lewis Whinston passed away on Sept. 4, 2013, in Tigard, leaving his lovely bride of 64 years, Melicent, five children and four grandchildren. He was born Feb. 5, 1925 in New York City to Charles Nathaniel Whinston and Charlotte Nagelberg Whinston.
Arthur earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Cornell University in 1945, a Master of Science in Engineering degree in Civil Engineering from Princeton University in 1947 and a Juris Doctor from New York University in 1957.
Arthur was in the United States Naval Reserve from July 1, 1943 to July 23, 1946. He was commissioned as an Ensign in the Civil Engineer Corps on Sept. 8, 1945. He worked as an aeronautical engineer designing aircraft wings at Republic Aviation in New York while he went to law school at night. After graduating from NYU Law in 1957, he joined the law firm Arthur Dry in New York City as a patent attorney. In 1964, Arthur moved the family from Garden City (Long Island), New York to Portland in order to work for Buckhorn/Blore/Klarquist/Sparkman, now Klarquist/Sparkman, a patent and trademark law firm, where he spent 43 years. Arthur became a litigating patent attorney and managed accounts such as Tektronix and later Nike. He was the firm’s managing attorney for ten years, resigned from the partnership in 2005 and retired in 2007. At the retirement luncheon, his law firm partner spoke eloquently of Arthur’s brilliance, fairness and compassion. Dad always did pro bono work and looked after his employees. As managing partner, he implemented an innovative health plan that encouraged the firm employees to be actively engaged in better health and fitness. He also informally advised numerous employees in managing their own investments.
During his years in Portland, Dad was always active at the Multnomah Club, first in long distance running, then adding swimming, weightlifting, the MAC decathlon and masters track and field competitions. He and Melicent competed and set records in numerous world championships in the WABDL, culminating in both being admitted to the WABDL Hall of Fame for outstanding athletes in 2011.