of Bella Vista, AR
February 24, 1930 - December 13, 2024
Arthur Albert Dercksen, 94, of Bella Vista passed away Friday, December 13, 2024. He was born February 24, 1930 in Newark, New Jersey to Albert and Martha Hilda (Banhart) Dercksen who immigrated from Europe in 1922.
Arthur had the privilege of having his talents recognized at an early age and awarded a full scholarship to Music Education Studios (MES) in New York City as a prodigy. His life up through the seventh grade was immersed in the Fine Arts. At age eight he was presented his first solo piano recital at the National Arts Club. He was also a prize finalist for eight years with the Note Book Contest of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra Society; the first two years being special awards as he was below the entry age. He was also a violinist in an active youth ensemble.
This early training was to be the foundation for the rest of his education and musical life. A friend from the MES asked him to play for his wedding and so started his organ training. This, in turn, led to a full scholarship at Riverdale Country School (RCS) for Boys in New York as the ''School Pianist''. One of the Music Masters at RCS went on to be the Choral Director at Grinnell College and so plans were made for Arthur to work his way through to a BA degree in Organ and Music Education. He learned to become a professional accompanist, organist and church choral director while studying there.
Arthur served three years in the US Army during the Korean War, earning rank of SP3 as a bandsman, organist, string bassist and choral director. His tour of duty included Goppingen, Germany. After an honorable discharge he returned to studies at the Hochschule fuer Musik at Stuttgart, Germany. He pursued independent studies on organ, piano accompanying, harpsichord and conducting. This is where he met his future wife, Nell. She was already a vocal scholarship student there and Arthur became her accompanist.
Arthur and Nell were married August 14th, 1960 at First Presbyterian Church in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The couple set up home at an apartment in Rockville Centre, Long Island while Arthur pursued a MA degree at Teachers' College, Columbia University. They moved to a house in Belmore, Long Island and welcomed Elizabeth Elise to the family on January 24, 1966. Arthur had a music teaching position in the Valley Stream School System at North Jr-Sr High School.
After a Sabbatical leave Arthur accepted a position as Director of a High School touring choir at Seaford, Long Island. He moved his expanding family to Massapequa, Long Island just in time for Deborah Nell to arrive on January 28th, 1969. Arthur formed the musical lives of many students as Choir Director, General Music Theory and Orchestra Director at Seaford High, with choir exchanges in the states and also to Europe. At the same time, he was Church Choir Director and organist at Lutheran Church of Epiphany, Hempstead, Long Island.
He and Nell were active in the opera scene on Long Island and the Greater New York Metropolitan area. They founded the Atlantic Music Theater, performing 'Opera in the round' in community settings. In 1985 he took full retirement from teaching and the opera company.
Arthur and Nell moved to Clarksville, Arkansas in 1989. He taught Orchestra at Arkansas Tech and was organist-choir director in several churches in the area until 1996. He was active in the Barbershop Harmony Society of America, singing and Directing in three different choruses. He was active in the Lions Club in Clarksville, Arkansas receiving many awards of service. He was a member of the American Legion in Clarksville, Arkansas.
Arthur and Nell celebrated Sixty-six years of Holy Matrimony when Nell passed away due to a short battle with Parkinson's syndrome. After the passing of his beloved Nell, Arthur didn't have his lifelong companion; life was just not the same. In April 2024, he moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas to be near some close friends. Unfortunately due to infirmities of three bouts of pneumonia and an Acute Myeloid Leukemia diagnosis, he became bedridden and was not able to continue the active life he had always enjoyed. Arthur peacefully passed away on Friday, December 13th, 2024.
Arthur was very proud of his two daughters, Elizabeth and Deborah and was a loving grandfather to Alexa Nell Overton and Bryan Edward Overton (Emily) and great-grandfather to Elliot Edward and Charlie Elise. His family meant everything to him. He is also survived by his sister, Joyce Crawford (Kenneth, deceased) of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and her daughters, Celeste Crawford and Dawn Sawyer (John), great-nephew Jacob and great-niece Kayden.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Martha; his beloved wife, Nell and brother-in-law, Kenneth Crawford.
A Celebration of Life prayer and song service will be held Friday, December 20th, 2024 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Altus, Arkansas at 11:00AM.
Military Honors and interment will be held at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Ft. Smith, Arkansas on Friday, December 27, 2024 at 2:00PM.
What a most amazing man who lived his life to the fullest and just loved serving people with his time and talents. A man that loved his family, community and country and showed it through his time and talents. Truly a man to look up to. It was a pleasure serving him as his Chiropractor and friend. God bless you always. Dr. Michael Martinez.
Art lived a full and blessed life. I loved listening to him play on his videos.
Prayers of peace.
ART was greatly lived by many, he was such a careing person
My condolences and prayers to you Deborah an Liz!!..He was such a nice man at the shearing and helping when he could. It was a pleasure to meet him!!
I became reacquainted with Arthur at a SHS music reunion. I thank him for the time he spent emailing me, texting ,and phone chats . He was my rock as I revisited my music studies. Condolences to and much love to his family.
After moving to Bella Vista last April, Art called and asked if he could join our little “Greater Ozarks Barbershop Chorus”. That lead to many happy rides from his apartment at Concordia to rehearsals and performances by the chorus. Art was an inspiration to us with his consumate background in choral and barbershop singing and his gentle manner. We will always remember going to Art’s bedside on December 2 and singing some Christmas carols.
Rest In Peace and Harmony Art.
Condolences to the family!!
Liz, Debbie and I have been childhood friends for over 40 years, I always remember Mr and Mrs Dercksen being very sweet and respectful to me as I was to them. Mr Dercksen will be deeply missed.
Condolences to Family and Friends, Mr Authur was one of the greats!
Arthur was my Choir Director at Seaford H.S. I also sang under his direction in the Clef Dwellers and performed in his production of two operas: Help! Help! The Globolinks! and Carmen, with his beloved wife Nell, starring in the title role. He cared very much for all his students. His love of music was infectious. These fabulous experiences shaped my future. I went on to major in Vocal Performance at University of Maryland. Singing in the Seaford H.S. Chorus and Clef Dwellers was what made High School tolerable! Thank you for the music and fond memories Arthur! May you rest in eternal glory.
The short time I knew Art-about a year-I quickly realized he played the most beautiful piano I have ever heard. What a joy it was whenever he sat down at the piano. The room would come alive, people's eyes widening and jaws dropping!
When visiting one on one, we loved talking about classical music; he not only had endless energy but endless stories to tell. I wish I could have heard them all. He loved to share, he loved company, he will be missed. What a privilege to have gotten to know him. I miss him already. His family is in my prayers.
Arthur was a great teacher with a 24/7 devotion to his students and art. He taught me the basic music theory I rely on 40+ years later. I was a member of the Seaford High School String Quartet, he would drive us around the island to play at churches on Sundays while still running the Chorale and the Cleff Dwellers and giving his own performances. I would also run into him at the stereo store because there could never be enough music. We too were also later friends on Facebook and I was always amazed at how well he could still play piano in his 90s.
Rest in peace!!
What an amazing life. A wonderful legacy. An inspiration and example for us all. So many adventures and touched so many lives. God has blessed us all who have known him. He served his Country, and his community diligently and honorably , Loved , provided and protected with great care his Family. My sympathies and Condolences. He's with his family in heaven.
Art was a large part of my formative years at Valley Stream North High. I remember a particular solo he had me sing: Villa. He also is the one who encouraged me to join the AGO at age 13.
We’ve been in touch through the last 50+ years at ACDA conferences and Facebook. Art called just a few days ago.
The Heavenly Choir has another fine tenor and accompanist. Keep singing!
Arthur was such a joy to be around. I enjoyed our days at Fox and Fork in Clarksville. His playing was incredible. But I enjoyed mostly his friendship. He is greatly missed.
Arthur (Mr. Dercksen) was my choral director at Seaford High School. He formed a small group of choristers, including myself, and called it “The Cleff Dwellers”. I was one of his three librarians together with Philip Bianco and Alan Rubenstein. Arthur exposed us to the most beautiful classical and broadway music, including Hansel’s Messiah, Fiddler on the Roof, and many many more pieces. Thanks to his skillful and heartfelt direction, we mastered them all. After Arthur retired, we remained in touch discussing politics, health, and music. I admired his recordings on Facebook and hope to emulate his inspiring piano playing. Arthur will be greatly missed
Arthur was a good friend and will be missed. We pray for the Lord’s comfort for his family.
I remember your father with great fondness.
I was a Student in Chorus and he was funny and generous. May he RIP.
Arthur was a dear, special friend to us, while living in Clarksville, Arkansas for 8 years. Our recent October 2024 move to Cheyenne, Wyoming, was shared with Arthur, who wished us safe journey & happiness. We loved our talks about Music & Art & treasured moments hearing him play the piano! Rest in peace our special friend, joining your beautiful wife! Prayers sent to Arthur's family, wish we could attend your Memorial Service. We'll be there in spirit. Love always, Deena & David Harkins
Gos bless his family and loved ones. I appreciate how Arthur so generously shared his music online through his facebook. Such a talent which never seemed to diminish over time.
to the family may he rest in eternal peace at the right hand of the father. Between Ducky nd Papa Joe my love of music that they instilled in me, has been a major part of my career for the past 40 years.. thank you to both of them
glad you are with your Nell once again forever.
jack