Memories of Arthur Liebersohn
February 9, 1951 to February 29, 2012

I’m Art’s older brother, Joe Lieberson.  Almost every one has experienced Art’s help, advice and seen his ability to work effectively with a broad range of people.  I‘ve know him for longer than most people, and would like to talk a bit about his younger years, and share a few memories.

After he was born our mother had a lot of errands to run.  For the next few years I became his baby sitter.  I dressed him, fed him and changed his diapers --- yuk. 

When he was ten I took Art and his cousin Harry on a short walk, along the railroad tracks to a railroad trestle.  They were excited and said they were just like Davy Crocket and would blaze new trails.  After ten minutes, the rocks, bushes and weeds were too much.  They wanted to go home. Their big achievements would come when they were older. 

When he was a teen, and into his 20’s, each year Art went with us on a summer vacation, to a cabin at Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland . 

Our kids learned a lot from Art.  They had never seen a man with a pony tail who wore one red sneaker and one white.  Here are some of the things he did.

Towed by a boat, he roared by and showed them how to fall off water skis, over and over again.  How to swim across the lake through speed boats with rarely a close call.  Then there was his vaudeville dance routine on the dock, where he always fell into the lake.  They learned about horseback riding safety when we all went riding and he took his horse thorough some trees and was knocked off.  He chased the horse all the way back to the stable.

Then the final lesson.  He went over a high waterfall, sliding over rocks on his butt, and didn’t break a bone.  Don’t try these stunts at home.  

But on to more recent years:  Arthur was deep into Philadelphia politics and once got me involved.  He was running for mayor and as usual, corruption, nepotism and cronyism were big issues.  The mayor had placed his brother Joe as Director of the philly fire department.  In one speech Art went after corruption and said that when he was elected he would avoid nepotism and never put me, his brother Joe, in as Director of the fire department

Arthur was always there to help and support me.  His advice was always helpful.  As Art used to say to me--- Joe, you’ve been like a brother to me.  Art, I am so sad you are gone.  You will always be my brother.