Arthur was born on Oct. 16, 1924, the son of Joseph and Frances (Duemke) Thurner. A native of Calumet, Mich., he came to Chicago in 1946, and was a longtime resident of Hyde Park.
Educated at the University of Chicago, he received a Master's degree in 1954 and the Ph.D. in History in 1966. After teaching briefly in Chicago high schools, he taught for 24 years at DePaul University. His courses in history and the humanities utilizing various of the so-called Great Books challenged the students and found many admirers. His team-teaching with Dr. Cornelius Sippel of "Fascism and Counterrevolution" was for many years in the 1970s and 1980s a highlight of the DePaul History Department offerings.
He published numerous articles and three books: Calumet Copper and People (1974), Rebels on the Range: The Michigan Copper Miners' Strike of 1913-1914 (1984), and a social history of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, Strangers and Sojourners (1994). Virginia Peterson Thurner, his wife of 35 years, assisted him greatly and edited all of his work. She died Aug. 15, 1993.
He was also a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church.
Arthur is survived by three brothers, Alfred Thurner of Chicago, Charles (Ann) Thurner of Mechanicsburg, Penn., and George (Virginia) Thurner of Laurium, Mich.; a sister-in-law, Betty Peterson of Shell Rock; a brother-in-law, Glenn (Betty) Peterson of Lincoln, Neb.; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Arthur was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two sisters, Helen and Elizabeth; and two brothers, Frank and Henry.
Prayer services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 15, at 11 a.m. at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Shell Rock, with Lay Presider, Amy Hoyer, Parish Life Coordinator at St. Mary, leading prayers. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Shell Rock. The family suggests that memorials be directed to charity of donor's choice. Online condolences for Arthur's family may be left at www.kaisercorson.com. Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Shell Rock is assisting the family.
Published in Waverly Democrat from December 13 to December 20, 2012
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It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death on December 6th of Dr. Arthur Thurner, age 88. After earning his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, Dr. Thurner joined DePaul's History Department in 1966. He taught for 24 years until his retirement in 1990. His courses in history and the humanities utilizing various of the so-called Great Books challenged the students and found many admirers. His team-teaching with Dr. Cornelius Sippel of "Fascism and Counterrevolution" was for many years in the 1970s and 1980s a highlight of the DePaul History Department Offerings. He published numerous articles and three books: "Calumet Copper and People" (1974), "Rebels on the Range: The Michigan Copper Miners' Strike of 1913-1914" (1984), and a social history of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, "Strangers and Sojourners" (1994). Virginia Peterson Thurner, his wife of 35 years, assisted him greatly and edited all of his work. She died in 1993.
Dr. Thurner is survived by several siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews. Services have taken place in Michigan. May he rest in peace.
Office of Mission and Values, December 21, 2012
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ReplyDeleteColleagues:
By this time you know that our former colleague, Arthur W. Thurner, died on December 6, 2012 and was buried in Shell Rock, Iowa next to his wife. Arthur taught in our department from 1965 to 1989. He taught many courses in U.S. history as well as originating, together with Cornelius Sippel "Fascism and Counterrevolution", a course which attracted students from all majors and from many other colleges of the university. For many of them, this course was the highlight of their DePaul University experience.
Arthur wrote three books during and after his tenure. The first was CALUMET COPPER AND PEOPLE; the second was REBELS ON THE RANGE: THE MICHIGAN COPPER MINERS' STRIKE OF 1913-1914 and the final one was STRANGERS AND SOJOURNERS: A HISTORY OF MICHIGAN'S KEWEENAW PENINSULA. In addition he wrote numerous book reviews and journal articles. In these he was greatly helped by his wife, Virginia Thurner, who was an editor at the University of Chicago Press. Virginia died in 1993.
Perhaps it is trite to use the term "a teacher's teacher" but that most accurately describes Arthur in the classroom. He never looked down at students but always had high expectations of them. His method was usually a Socratic one, and he perfected it better than most. To watch him was to see a real master teacher at his craft. He was always fully prepared. I always wished I could do it half as well. In addition, Arthur was a great listener to students and to their concerns and worries. He listened to and respected them, never imposing his views on them. During the difficult days of the late 1960s and early 1970s Arthur showed great dignity and courage and helped us in starting the important role that Afro-Americans had played in our history.
When Arthur worked on many departmental, college or university committees He was always extremely thorough. He never complained about such tasks but accepted them as part of his responsibility. His reports reflected careful thought about the issue at hand and his views were always considerate and clear. One might disagree with his views, but it would be almost impossible to find any factual errors in what he wrote.
Arthur was a lovely, quiet, kind and intelligent man. I shall miss him very much.
Al Erlebacher, (emeritus)
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