Arthur Christy Taber
July 8, 1947 - January 19, 2021
In fall of 2020, Arthur Christy Taber was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. With grit, grace and good humor he underwent challenging chemotherapy treatments to extend his life, but, tragically, only lived long enough to experience the very first weeks of the new year.
Arthur’s impressive education included time at the Cathedral School for Boys (San Francisco, CA), Wooster School (Danbury, CT), and Harvey Mudd College (Claremont, CA), where he majored in Chemistry. Later in life he attended adult continuation courses (Photography, Computer / Cyber Security) at Bay Area Community Colleges (Skyline, San Mateo, and San Francisco City College).
His army / professional history featured an Honorable Discharge for his stateside service (1969 1971) as card & tape writer in data processing for the 82nd Airborne Division, as well as lengthy stints as computer programmer for San Francisco State University, Wells Fargo Bank, and Charles Schwab.
Additionally, he was a man of many interests: bird watching with Point Reyes Bird Observatory; photography; astronomy with the San Francisco Sidewalk Astronomers; English comedy and comedians -Flanders & Swan, Beyond the Fringe, Goon Squad, and Monty Python; WWII history; Pre-17th century/ medieval history with the Shire of Cloondara, the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism), where he was known as “Elkhorn the Unregisterable”; award - winning beer brewing & mead making, again with the SCA; the Annual Wayne Inouye Memorial Luncheon; Sci-Fi conventions (BayCON/ WesterCON/ WorldCON/ LosCON); and, last, but not least, for 40+ years, rescuing elephant seals and California sea lions, and preparing “fish shakes” on the Wednesday Day Crew at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA.
Arthur’s parents were father Robin Taber (predeceased), a WWII veteran, former navigator with the Army Air Force’s 384th Bombardment Group, and POW survivor of Stalag Luft 3; and mother Gioia Taber (also predeceased), an accomplished pianist, parishioner of St. Peter’s/ Trinity + St. Peter’s Episcopal Churches in SF, and longtime school teacher with the SF School District.
He is survived by brothers and sisters-in-law Bennett & Cathleen Taber, Carleton Taber, and David & Jennifer Taber; nephew, Andrew Taber, and niece, Natalie Taber; cousins Becky Taber, Douglass Taber, and Katherine Taber Maier; ex-wife Lucille Taber and stepson Patrick Galloway; ex-wife Jacqueline Taber; and life partner, Cynthia Cravens.
Many people admired and loved Arthur, and, in particular, they will miss his puns and wicked sense of humor, his sharp intelligence, his loyalty, his steadfastness, his avid devotion to reading and books, his curiosity and willingness to conduct exciting (and, sometimes, dangerous!) science experiments, his dedication to correct grammar, and great pleasure in encountering journalism of integrity and accuracy.
An online celebration of Arthur’s life is being planned for late March / April, 2021: please contact Cynthia Cravens (yarewe_sf@yahoo.com) for more info.
Donations may be made in Arthur Taber’s name to the Marine Mammal Center (email Bess Touma: toumab@tmmc.org, “In Memory of Arthur Taber”) and to the Wounded Warrior Project (call 1.855.448.3997)