Arthur J. Schmucker

Arthur J. Schmucker, 85, passed away on Thursday, December 1st, in Topeka Kansas.   He was born December 10, 1930 in Fairbury, Nebraska.  He lived there for 6 months before his family moved to Seneca, Kansas where he was raised.  Art was enlisted for two years in the Navy, and served two years when the military froze the enlisted due to the Korean threat.  When Art joined the Navy in 1948, at the age of 17, he was stationed in San Diego, California.  His first trip out of boot camp was to Point Barrel, Alaska.   Upon his return, he purchased his first Harley Davidson MC.  It was a 1945 Harley 45 (45 cu. In.)  It had a rocker type clutch, 3 gears, spark advance on left handlebar and, of course, a kick start.  It was fun for the guys in the Navy to explore the San Diego area on their Harleys.  Off road kicking it up!  It was on one of these adventures, on a particularly hilly terrain, that Art got a little too brave, climbing a hill he didn’t quite make.  Using all the power he had, but not quite enough, he took a tumble down and ended up in the base’s clinic with a broken toe.  They splinted it up and Art headed back on his Harley…as you see, this was his only means of transportation.  Riding in cars was “lowering his standards” and therefore he didn’t even own one!  They also did not associate with the “Indian” riders.  They were considered rivals!  Art was also a pilot and at age 16 and would wash and shine planes for “airtime”.  He and a buddy bought their first plane together for $500.  War planes were plenty and the military was eager to get rid of them.  Later he would purchase another plane in Abilene, KS, also for $500.  This one equipped with a sliding canopy.  Art met his beautiful wife, Kathy, in Denver, CO, at the wedding of a mutual friend.  They eloped just four and a half months later on November 12, 1954 and were married for 56 years at the time of her death.  Art and Kathy had two beloved sons, Craig and an infant, both deceased.  They had two daughters; Mary who lives in Dallas, TX and Ramona who lives in Topeka.  Both survive.  He is also survived by four grandsons; Chris, John, Sean (Holly), and Brian along with two great-granddaughters, Cheyenne and Riley, a great-grandchild due in May, numerous nieces and nephews and his loving companion, a white Maltese, named Sissy.  Funeral services will be 6:00 p.m., Sunday December 4th, at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603.