Arthur William "Art" Angood

The life of Arthur Angood began on January 16, 1934 in Battle Creek, MI. He was born the son of S. Bernard and Marguerite (Stevens) Angood. From an early age, the work ethic, caring about individuals and tirelessly giving back to the community he loved was instilled in him by his parents.

Art attended Roosevelt Elementary School, Southwestern Junior High School and graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1952. From there he went on to pursue his BA Degree in English at the University of Michigan. Art was a member of the track team in college and served as president of Delta Chi Fraternity before graduating in 1956. While a student, Art was introduced to Judith Lee Arnold, a fellow student on a blind date. They were married on May 11, 1957 in her parent's living room in Flint. Judy had just graduated and Art had recently been commissioned and was awaiting his orders. He was able to obtain a weekend pass so the ceremony could take place. After marrying, Art and Judy moved to Alameda, CA where he served for four years as an aviation officer with carrier based fighter squadrons on the USS Bennington and USS Midway aircraft carriers. Following his discharge in 1960, Art remained in the US Naval Reserves until 1968. Later he earned his MA degree from Western Michigan University.

When Art and Judy returned to Battle Creek following his discharge, he began teaching civics at Northwestern Junior High School. He later was a counselor and assistant principal there. In 1964, he became principal at Southeastern Junior High School. In 1968, Art was promoted to the central office staff and retired in 1989 as Associate Superintendent of Personnel. At his retirement celebration, Art remarked in his speech to the community that he was most proud of the fact that the Battle Creek Public Schools educated him, that education allowed him to come back and help lead the district that educated his two sons.

During his time with the school district, Art took a keen interest in the lives of young people. He was always one to offer sound advice, coaching in life skills and just general friendship to students, many of whom still remained in contact with him until he died.

During Art's time with the school district, he also was a board member of the Miller Foundation, a position he held for 45 years. His love of the Battle Creek community and a desire to make his community a better place to live for all was noticed by Robert B. Miller who asked him to take over the duties of CEO of the Foundation. Art enthusiastically guided the foundation for 10 years. Later, through a collaboration with the foundation board of directors, he spearheaded the founding and development of the Robert B. Miller College. He served as its first president before finally retiring in 2005. Additionally, he was instrumental in the development of the Cereal City Museum and was a past member of the Kellogg Community College Advisory Board

During Art's 70 year span of time in the education field, he also found time to give back to his community in many ways. Never one to say no to the First Presbyterian Church where he was a member since 1947, Art took on many roles over his life serving as an Elder, on the Board of Deacons and helping with many fund raising projects. During his lifetime as well, Art chaired or co-chaired many fund raising campaigns with United Way, United Arts Council and The Charitable Union to name a few. Art also served as a board member of the Y Center. In 1990, he received the George Award. Although this award was given to publicly recognize Art's selfless contributions, he didn't seek recognition. His satisfaction came from making his community a better place.

In Art's leisure time he was an avid reader. He also enjoyed model trains, sailing, stamp collecting and photography. He spent years tracing the Angood family history through correspondence with relatives all around the world. Art also was an avid University of Michigan football fan. For many years, he and Judy held season tickets.

Art's one true source of relaxation and solitude came from spending long weekends with Judy at their cottage on Little Long Lake for over 45 years. Many of his weekends were spent fishing from his boat while listening to the Detroit Tigers. This is where Art was able to rest, relax and recharge before saying yes to the next need in the community that requested his leadership.

Over the past five years, Art began to struggle with the onset of Parkinson's disease. It slowed his gait, it brought on tremors and it slowly caused times of occasional confusion. It never took away his love of his community, his joy of visiting with friends and former students, his times of spending summer afternoons sitting in his chair on the deck at the lake and the love he had for his entire family.
Eventually though, the effect of the Parkinson's disease was just too much and the last week of his life was spent in the wonderful care of Glenn Arbor Hospice where he died Saturday February 20, 2021.

In addition to his wife Judy, Art's family include his sons; Capt. USN Ret. David (Heidi) Angood of Chula Vista, CA, Todd (Lynette) Angood of Boardman, OH, grandchildren; Trevor (Vic Ly) Angood of San Diego, CA, Kaitlyn (Fabian) Krishna of Chula Vista, CA and great-grandchildren Oliver and Penelope Krishna. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John B. Angood. After cremation, a portion of Art's cremated remains will be buried at his family's plot at Memorial Park Cemetery. Later this summer his family will gather for a private memorial to place his cremains in Little Long Lake, Art's refuge for 45 years. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to make a donation in Art's memory to Glenn Arbor Hospice Care.

Please read the words of the Navy Hymn and the Yellow and Blue, the alma Mater of the University of Michigan. Both of these music pieces were very meaningful to Art. After reading, share your special thoughts or memories for Art's family to have as a keepsake.



Eternal Father, Strong to Save
(The Navy Hymn)
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep,
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea!
O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at thy word,
Who walkedst on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep,
O hear us when we cry to thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace,
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea!
Eternal Father, grant, we pray,
To all Marines, both night and day,
The courage, honor, strength, and skill
Their land to serve, thy law fulfill;
Be thou the shield forevermore
From every peril to the Corps.
Lord, guard and guide the ones who fly
Through the great spaces in the sky.
Be with them always in the air,
In darkening storms or sunlight fair.



The Yellow and the Blue

© (Charles M. Gayley, M. W Balfe)/
Regents of the University of
Michigan

Written 1889

Sing to the colors that float in the light;
Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue!
Yellow the stars as they ride through the night
And reel in a rollicking crew;
Yellow the field where ripens the grain
And yellow the moon on the harvest wain;
-Hail!
Hail to the colors that float in the light
Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue!
Blue are the billows that bow to the sun
When yellow-robed morning is due.
Blue are the curtains that evening has spun
The slumbers of Phoebus to woo;
Blue are the blossoms to memory dear
And blue is the sapphire and gleams like a tear;
-Hail!
Hail to the ribbons that nature has spun;
Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue!
Here's to the college whose colors we wear,
Here's to the hearts that are true!
Here's to the maid of the golden hair,
And eyes that are brimming with blue!
Garlands of bluebells and maize intertwine,
And hearts that are true and voices combine;
-Hail!
Hail to the college whose colors we wear;
Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue!