Arthur Greenberg 1929-2013

Arthur Greenberg, 83, of Peoria, died on Jan. 21, 2013, at his residence.

He was born July 31, 1929, in Chicago, to Irving and Dorothy Gordon Greenberg. He married Bonnie Mosiman on February 9, 1994, in Peoria. She survives.

Also surviving are his children, Dean Greenberg of Carbondale, Nina Dunavan of Austin, Texas; his grandson, Abraham Traverso of Carbondale; his great-grandson, Mateo Traverso and his sister, Nancy Plotkin, of Chicago.

Preceding him in death are his parents and granddaughter, Leah Dunavan.

He was a graduate of the University of Illinois and the University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor.

He was a United States Navy veteran, serving his nation during the Korean War.

Arthur was a noted attorney in the Peoria area for many years, engaging in the practice of law from 1957 to 1978, 1982 to 1997, 1999 and 2000. He was also Resident Circuit Judge, Peoria County, Tenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois, appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court (1997-1998); Commissioner on the Inquiry Board, Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) 1997; an Assistant State's Attorney, Peoria County, 1960 and 1962, and has been appointed special prosecutor and receiver in special cases.

He was licensed to practice law in all local Federal Courts, State of Illinois, State of Michigan, and before the United States Supreme Court.

Arthur was President of the Peoria County Bar Association (1992-1993), the Standing Committee on Illinois Bar Journal Editorial Board (2005-2006), and the Illinois Central College Justice Advisory Board (2005 to 2011).

He served as General Counsel and Director of Planning and Development for the Peoria Journal Star, Inc. (PJS) and its subsidiaries, both publishing and broadcasting; Vice President and Operating Officer of Compass Systems, Inc. (a PJS subsidiary), a communications, research and development corporation based in Peoria (1979- 1981) and Continental Assurance Co., of Chicago in 1951.

Arthur was Distinguished Lecturer in Business and Criminal Justice at Eureka College (2000 to 2011).

He lectured at the University of Illinois School of Medicine in Peoria (1973-1974), Bradley University, serving as Adjunct Instructor of numerous courses. He lectured for the Illinois State Bar Association Institute of Continuing Education (1963-1972). He lectured or spoke at numerous educational institutions, business and social organizations and citizen groups, frequently appearing on both television and radio, speaking on such diverse subjects as law, social problems, art and music.

He was involved in the Lawyers Constitutional Defense Committee, participating in civil rights and legal activities in the South during "Freedom Summer" in 1964.

He was a member of the American Bar Association; Illinois State Bar Association; Illinois Judges Association; Peoria County Bar Association; Chicago Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan; National Legal Aid and Defender Association, as well as many other professional and legal organizations.

Arthur was deeply involved in the community, serving on the Board of Directors, Central Illinois Private Industry Council (PIC) (1990 -1997), serving as the Chairman (1995-1997); Rotary Club of Peoria; Commissioner, Peoria Housing Authority (1986-1989); Commissioner, Liquor Commission, City of Peoria (1982-1986); Creve Coeur Club; Board of Trustees, Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria (1988-1989, 1992-1993, 1999-2002) and Board President (2000-2002); Bradley University Committee for the Use of Animals for the Subject of Research (1989-1997); The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; Board of Directors, Peoria City Beautiful (1981-1987); Child Abuse Advisory Council; Board of Directors, The Fayette Companies, parent corporation of Human Service Center (1981-1992); Board of Directors, Human Service Center Foundation (1992-1996); Board of Directors, Human Service Center (1976-1980, 1982-1991), serving as President (1977-1980); Board of Directors, Ecumenical Urban Ministry (1977-1978); Board of Directors, Stonehenge Foundation (1975); Board of Directors, Peoria Art Guild (1972-1977); Board of Directors, Central Illinois Youth Symphony (1968-1970); The American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #814; Board of Trustees, Congregation Anshai Emeth (1964-1967, 1992-1993, 1995-1997); Board of Directors, Peoria Jewish Community Council, Chair of the Community Relations Committee (1967-1969); Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, Peoria Chairman, (1963) and Regional Advisory Board (1964-1967); National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) (1964-1965); National Audubon Society; Sierra Club; Executive Director (Pro-Tem) of the Peoria Commission on Human Relations, June and July 1969; Board of Directors, Youth Farm, Inc. (1967-1970); Peoria Urban Renewal Advisory Committee (1972-1974); Citizens Advisory Council for Community Improvement, Chairman of the Minority Housing Group and Relocation Committee (1967-1969); investigated urban problems in Trenton and Newark, New Jersey in the summer of 1968; the American Civil Liberties Union and Chairman of the Peoria Chapter (1963-1965, 1967-1968, 1982-1983).

Arthur has exhibited his photography, most recently at the National Archives, Washington, D.C. (1999-2001) and lectured on photographic subjects at numerous galleries and educational institutions throughout the United States and in 1973 participated in "Documerica," an historic documentary project for the federal government. He has studied with some of the photographic masters of the 20th century, including Minor White, Paul Caponigro and Ruth Bernhard.

He has received numerous honors and awards, most recently receiving the Helen Cleaver Distinguished Teaching Award at Eureka College.

He was a member of the Universalist Unitarian Church in Peoria and Congregation Anshai Emeth in Peoria.

Cremation rites have been accorded, with services to be announced at a later date. The Wilton Mortuary in Peoria is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Peoria Humane Society or T.A.P.S.

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Chris Bonjean
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