Thorvald Arthur Kvaas
T. Arthur Kvaas, born January 8, 1919 in Des Moines, Iowa to Thorvald Kristian and Gunhild (Markussen) Kvaas, died peacefully on November 16th, 2018 of heart failure. Art’s family moved to Los Angeles in 1924 where he grew up and eventually earned a Masters Degree with honors in Physics at UCLA. In 1942 he married Nancy Evelyn Clayson and they had two sons, Ronald and Robert. In 1957 the family moved to Santa Barbara where Art lived until the time of his death.
Before leaving LA he worked at Douglas Aircraft as a research engineer and chief designer in their Missiles and Space group before moving to the Rand Corporation. Upon moving to Santa Barbara he worked for General Electric Tempo managing their professional staff and later for Moseley Associates and Cetec as an Executive Vice President and Operations Manager.
He enjoyed spending time with the family on the Santa Monica beaches, fishing the streams of the Eastern Sierra, and golfing with friends in Santa Barbara. He loved music, studying the violin from age 10 and playing in LA school’s All City Orchestra and the UCLA Symphony while teaching violin to neighborhood kids to help pay his college expenses.
He was active in the Science and Engineering Council of Santa Barbara, a member of the Santa Barbara Fish & Game Commission for 30 years and an honorary life member of the Arthritis Foundation of Santa Barbara. He was also a long time member and supporter of the American Scandinavian Foundation, UCSB Affiliates, Cosmopolitan Club and the Santa Barbara Symphony serving on the Board of Directors of many of these organizations.
He was predeceased by his parents, brother Harold, and wife Nancy. He is survived by sons Ronald and Robert (Sara), niece Kristin Kvaas Lithopoulos, and nephews George Kvaas, Cliff Connelly, John Connelly, and Bill Connelly.
A memorial service followed by a reception will be held December 6th at 1 pm, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 909 N La Cumbre Road in Santa Barbara. The family would like to thank the staff at the Valle Verde Health Center and Visiting Nurses and Hospice for their compassionate care in his final days. In lieu of flowers Art has asked that memorial donations be made to a charity of ones choice.