ART ACKERMAN

1937 – 2017

Arthur William Ackerman passed away on April 15, 2017 in Walnut Creek, California, of cancer-related illness. He was born to Annette and Albert Ackerman Sr on July 22, 1937 in French Camp, California. Art graduated from Lodi High School in 1956 and from Sacramento State College with a BS in Business in 1962.

He worked for American Forest Products in Stockton and San Francisco before beginning his 35-year career as a contracting officer with the U.S. Forest Service. He worked to supply everything needed by the firefighters on many fires, including the Marble Cone fire in 1977 (the largest fire in Californian history at the time). The highlight of his career was the collection of reconstruction projects around Mt. St. Helens following its eruption in 1980, which began with roads and finished with several visitor centers still enjoyed by the public today.

Art enjoyed hunting with his best friend. He also enjoyed square dancing, photography and woodworking. He loved to relate puns to all who would listen, and has passed on his talent to his children & grandchildren. It was while square dancing that he met his wife-to-be, Mary Scroggins. They were married on August 17, 1979 in Santa Barbara. In his retirement, Art spent time in his garden and doing clever and thoughtful projects for his family. He lived in Walnut Creek the last few years of his life.

Art is survived by his wife, Mary Ackerman, and by the children with his first wife Ruth: James Ackerman and wife Brenda of Colfax, Janet Sperry and husband Mark of Weed, and David Ackerman and wife Lisa of Walnut Creek. He was a proud grandpa to seven grandchildren; Josephine Ackerman and Joshua Ackerman, Anthony and Sophia Beck, and Loren, Skyler, and Kathleen Ackerman. He is also survived by brother Albert Ackerman and wife Eleanor of Lodi, sister Alaine Ackerman of Sacramento, and his two stepchildren, Brad Riley of Salem OR and Robin Edwards of Missoula MO and her two children.

Donations may be made to the Cancer Society or to the charity of your choice. There will be no services.

Please sign the guest book at www.lodinews.com/ guestbook.