Art moved to San Diego in the late 1930's settling in Pacific Beach. His parents owned a bakery in Mission Beach. As a teenager, he worked at Belmont Park in the shooting gallery and was a member of a motorcycle and hot rod social club known as "The Coffin Riders." He graduated from La Jolla High School and served in the Navy during WWII. In the late 1940's, Art frequented Glen's Drive-in, in Ocean Beach with his motorcycles and hot rods. Glen's was where he met his future wife, Janet, who worked there as a car hop. After his military service, Art started his career at SDGE as a surveyor and over the course of almost 5 decades worked his way up to the Governmental Affairs Department where he was one of the company's senior lobbyists. Art was involved in the construction of both Lutheran Church and Luther Tower which commenced in the early 1960's. After completion, he remained a Tower board member for the next 50 years. Also in the 60's, he was instrumental in the construction of the Little League Baseball Complex in Mission Valley known as "Sefton Park" where the main field bears his name. He was the Director of the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park for 18 years. He was the quintessential antique car and motorcycle aficionado. He was the President of the San Diego Antique Motorcycle Club for numerous years and he was instrumental in moving the SDAMC show from Kearney Mesa to the Del Mar Racetrack (1990 - 1997) where it became the premier vintage motorcycle show on the West Coast.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Annie and Robert Bishop; and sister, Edith.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Janet; daughter, Barbara (Rich) Ek; sons, Bob (DeeDee) and Jeff (Aurora); Grandchildren; Alex, Mitch, Matson, Kristen, Deborah, James; and 4 great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 10 am Saturday, August 19 at Mount Hope Cemetery, San Diego. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 am Saturday at First Lutheran Church, 1420 3rd Ave., San Diego, CA 92101. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Lutheran Church.
Arrangements under the direction of Merkley-Mitchell Mortuary, San Diego, CA.
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