Arthur Rasher's Obituary
Arthur Albert Rasher, 71, died Saturday, June 15 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., April 8, 1948. He earned a B.S. in chemical engineering from Michigan State University, an M.B.A. from Eastern Michigan University, a specialist degree in system dynamics from the Sloan School at MIT, and a Ph.D. in business from Michigan State University before joining the faculty at Florida State University.Art moved to Tulsa in 1988 and spent 27 years at the University of Tulsa as Associate Professor of Management and was awarded professor emeritus status following his 2015 retirement. He held joint faculty appointments in Costa Rica and Russia. During his tenure at TU, Art received the Mayo Teaching Excellence Award and the Medicine Wheel Award for Meritorious Community Service. In addition, for nearly 22 years, Art served as co-host of the radio show BusinessWorld on Tulsa’s NPR affiliate station, KWGS.One of Art’s proudest accomplishments was his service with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Oklahoma (BBBSOK). He was a board member and was matched as a Big Brother to Little Brother, Victor, when Victor was just 8. Over the last 19 years Victor became a son to Art and Art became the guiding father figure Victor always wanted.In recognition of his outstanding service, in 2009, Art was named Tulsa Area Big Brother of the Year and received the U.S. President’s Service Award. In 2010, he was named Oklahoma Big Brother of the Year and United States Big Brother of the Year, a distinction for which Art was honored during a reception in the Oval Office at the White House. He was named the 2011 Molly and David Boren Award winner as the outstanding Oklahoma mentor. Art’s community service extended to other organizations including Rotary Club, Special Olympics (Florida), and as a board member for Hospice of Green Country.Art was an avid bridge player, loved the daily crossword, traveling, Broadway musicals, Michigan State sports and N.Y. Giants football. Art will be remembered as the ultimate extrovert who had a smile and greeting for every passerby. To those along his life path, Art’s wit, enthusiasm, and encouragement made him a favorite friend, mentor, and teacher.Art is predeceased by parents, Charles E. Rasher, Margaret Braun Rasher, and stepmother Alice D. Rasher. He is survived by his wife, Chrystie Meziere; BBBS brother Victor Ornelas; brothers Donald, Bruce, Edward, and their wives; sister Cathy Nathan and her husband.Memorial service will be at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, 4:00 pm Monday, July 15, 2019. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Art’s memory to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Oklahoma at: www.BBBSOK.org
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