Arthur Edward Gaus

In the Bible, we are told that "goodness" is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22). As we remember Dr. Arthur “Art” Gaus, it is amazing to reflect on how much of that "goodness" was packed into his 98 years.

Art was a good son. He was the only son of Alfred and Emma Gaus, and the apple of their eye. He grew up in Maplewood, Missouri, in a household with his parents, his grandmother, and his uncle. When his father retired and started a new farm, Art helped out, especially with the huge garden on the Dardenne Creek. After Alfred's death, Art helped his mother, Emma, move to Columbia, where he supported and cared for her until her death.

Art was a good husband. He married his high school sweetheart, Virginia “Ginny” Klick, on August 12, 1950. Their deep and lifelong commitment to each other lasted through 3 college degrees, 3 children, 4 grandchildren and several health issues/challenges. Their love was real and enduring. Throughout Ginny's illnesses, Art was her caregiver and her "honey". He was with her when she passed away in 2007.

He was a good dad. Art and Ginny had 3 children; Sharon, Arlan, and Al. Art was the type of dad who taught, not by lecture but by example. He was a terrific role model for kindness, patience, integrity, and work ethic.

Art was a good grandfather and a good great-grandfather. Although his declining health, and the challenge of living in different towns made a mentor relationship difficult, Art was an inspiration and support to his grandkids, Adam, Abby, Kaitlyn and Kaleb, as they grew and matured into adults. Later, his excitement was evident as he was introduced to his 3 great grandchildren, Brynn, Rennik and Atticus. Grandpa Art really loved them, and they really loved him.

Art was a good soldier. He was drafted and served in the Army, fighting with the Allies in the 42nd Infantry Rainbow Division during the Second World War. He received a Purple Heart for his bravery and sacrifice.

Art was a good professor. After earning a PhD in Horticulture at the University of Missouri, he accepted the position of Extension Fruit and Vegetable Specialist at his Alma Mater. He was a loyal and hardworking member of the Horticulture Department, rolling up thousands of miles on Missouri highways to provide real-world problem-solving to countless fruit and vegetable growers.

Art was a good gardener. He grew tomatoes and flowering houseplants in Columbia, but his true happy-place was his large vegetable garden at the farm in Hermann, Missouri.

Art was a good provider. As a child of the Depression, and a young World War II veteran, financial security was important to him. Providing for his wife and family was a top priority. He shared his love of frugality with his mother-in-law, Berniece Klick. They both took genuine pleasure in saving money wherever and whenever they could. They always said "bargains are good" and "If you wait long enough, it'll go on sale." Art thoroughly enjoyed comparison shopping, and finding deals, especially at the grocery and discount stores. He shunned extravagance. Really, the only luxuries he allowed himself were providing for his family, and having a little cash in his billfold.

Art was good resident. While at the Truman VA Community Living Center, or CLC, he earned a new, hyphenated last name: Dr. Gaus-We-All-Love-Him. Being cute and loveable was one of his strongest attributes, which the CLC staff discovered rather quickly.

Art was a good sports fan. He was an avid, loyal, and vocal supporter of his beloved teams: the Missouri Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals. He spent several years cheering on the MU Basketball team at Brewer Fieldhouse, Hearnes Arena, and Norm Stewart Arena. His life-long passion, though, was Cardinal baseball. He started out watching the Saint Louis Browns through a knot-hole in the centerfield fence, then, thanks to ESPN, KMOX and Bally Sports Midwest, he was able to watch or listen to St Louis Cardinals baseball up until his passing.

Art was not perfect. He had a couple of weak areas. One was the "Famous Gaus Procrastination." He could be found every December 24th, searching stores for Christmas presents. And, he could be found every April 14th preparing his income taxes. His other weakness was his "interesting sense of fashion". His duct-taped slippers never really caught on as a fashion trend. Neither did his sleeveless-white-tee-and-mud-caked-trousers. Fortunately, he was pretty philosophical about it. He would sometimes, albeit reluctantly, comply with the requests to "Please take those off and throw them away!"

When you think about it, Art Gaus' life had a "ton of goodness!” Arthur was a good son, a good husband, a good dad, a good grandfather, a good soldier, a good professor, a good gardener, a good provider, a good resident, and a good sports fan.

Wow, that's a ton of good. And in his 98 years with us, his "goodness" touched a lot of lives and a lot of hearts. It was a privilege to have Dr. Arthur Gaus with us for as long as we did. Needless to say, we will miss him terribly. But, also, needless to say, his goodness will stay in our hearts forever.

Art is survived by his 3 children: Sharon Gaus of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Arlan Gaus (Julie) of Columbia, Missouri, and Al Gaus (Rebecca) of Des Moines, Iowa; four grandchildren: Adam Gaus (Bailey) of Quincy, Illinois; Abigail Gaus of Longmont, Colorado; Kailtyn Spangrud (Mick) of Des Moines, Iowa, and Kaleb Gaus of Arvada, Colorado; three great-grandchildren: Brynn, Rennik and Atticus; as well as his brother-in-law Addison Klick, his niece Sue Klick, cousins Dorothy Timmerman and Ron Gaus, plus numerous other extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Emma Gaus, his wife Virginia Gaus, nephew Mike Klick, as well as several cousins.

Visitation will take place Wednesday, April 12 at 10:00 AM at Memorial Funeral Home, followed immediately by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Full military honors will be rendered at Memorial Park Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest to next to his beloved wife.

This is not our good-bye. It's our farewell for now, Dr. Gaus. We love you.