Arthur Byron Dodge,

Arthur Byron Dodge, Jr. passed away at the age of 89 on Thursday, April 18th, 2013 at his home surrounded by his wife Gretel and two sons, Arthur B. Dodge III and Andrew N. Dodge. He was a patriot, husband, father and philanthropist. Born 13 June 1923, Arthur was the son of Arthur B. Dodge and Marion Cochran Dodge. Arthur was the last of four sons and the first to be born at the General Hospital. His brothers Richard, William and James all preceded him in death. The family resided on East Orange Street where Arthur was raised not far from St. James Church. A member of the original Orange Street gang, Arthur regaled family and friends with stories of Lancaster in the 1920’s and 30’s that sounded like episodes of “The Little Rascals.” Arthur attended East Junior High School (now Edward Hand) and one semester in high school at the newly opened J.P. McCaskey before his parents decided that he was becoming too ‘socialist’ and sent him off to boarding school at St. Andrews in Middletown, DE. Arthur flourished at St. Andrew’s, winning the Headmaster's Prize in English and rowing varsity crew. In Arthur’s senior year, St. Andrew’s crew won the New England championships and defeated the Princeton 8 Freshman crew. Arthur attended Williams College as a member of the Class of ’45. Renowned up and down the East Coast for his voracious appetite for laughter and good company, Arthur once hitchhiked from Lancaster to Philadelphia in a tuxedo to attend a debutante party. Arthur enlisted in 1942 in the U.S. Army as a private, foregoing officer’s training school. After boot camp in Texas, Arthur’s Company, the 88th Infantry (Blue Devils), sailed for North Africa. Landing in Tangier, Morocco, Arthur campaigned through North Africa and Sicily before landing on Anzio Beach in Italy. Arthur led the first American troops to enter Rome during the war and received a Papal audience. During the 18-month Italian campaign, Arthur received numerous decorations including two Battlefield Commissions to the rank of Captain, two purple hearts, two bronze stars, one with clusters, and a distinguished service medal. He was also nominated for the US Congressional Medal of Honor and, though not a recipient, was occasionally invited to attend US Medal of Honor Award events. After the war, Arthur completed his education, graduating from Franklin & Marshall College in 1948. Arthur joined his father and oldest brother Richard in that year, beginning a more than 50-year career in the cork industry. An active Army Reservist, Arthur was called back to active duty during the Korean War serving under General Strickler while stationed at the US Army Headquarters, Europe in Heidelberg, Germany. It was there that he met Margaretha Gerbert (Gretel). Arthur would say that courting Gretel was his second and most difficult European campaign. They married in December 1954. Arthur’s professional career was interlaced with his deep commitment to his family, the community and giving back. Among his many activities and passions, Arthur served as President of the Cork Institute of America and an active member of the Newcomen Society, Sons of the American Revolution, the Pennsylvania Society, and the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM). In addition, Arthur was past President of SOS Children’s Villages USA and the 88th Infantry Division Association where Arthur was appointed by President Bush to attend the 50th Anniversary of D-Day. Arthur also served as a trustee of St. Andrew's School and was active in the vestry and leadership of St. James Church. Arthur was also a director of the Lancaster Theological Seminary. Arthur joined Dodge Cork Company in 1948, eventually succeeding his father and brother Richard as Chairman and President. In 1989, Dodge Cork formed a joint venture to become Dodge-Regupol, which Arthur continued to lead as Chairman until his retirement in 2007. Today, Dodge-Regupol is known as Ecore International Inc., North America’s largest manufacturer of recycled rubber products. Arthur was loved for who he was: a very bright, creative, curious, witty, devout, dashing, and lovable human being. He loved casual conversation on virtually any topic. Arthur is survived by his wife, Gretel; his two sons: Arthur B. Dodge III, husband of Justina Juvonen-Dodge, and Andrew N. Dodge, husband of Lorraine Dodge, both of Lancaster; his grandchildren: Marc and Natalie, Southampton and New York City, NY; Emilie, Harbor Island, Bahamas; Alexandra, Sabrina and Hayden Dodge of Lancaster; and Camilla and Sloane Grover-Dodge of Lancaster. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Funeral Service with a Requiem Mass on Friday, April 26, at 10:30 a.m. at Saint James Episcopal Church, 119 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA, with The Reverend David W. Peck, Celebrant, and The Very Reverend Peter D. Eaton, Preacher. The family will greet friends from 9:30 a.m. until time of service. Private family interment in Lancaster Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Arthur’s name to Saint James Episcopal Church, 119 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602, or Hospice & Community Care, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125 (www.hospicecommunity.org).

Arthur Byron Dodge,

April 19, 2013