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company in Lincoln, U.K., both as an actor and as an assistant stage manager.
He was fond of a book called The Art of Coarse Acting, which outlines
methods for addressing many theatrical disasters (such as the “human
cleat” where, to prevent a set from collapsing, the stage manager places
himself in a position to support the various trembling walls). One wonders
what theatrical events from his own past were echoed in that book. His particular
passion was musical theatre. Those who knew him as a dignified,
sometimes stern presence would be surprised by the unguarded Arthur
who, although not blessed with a true singing voice, would nevertheless
delight in breaking into reasonably accurate renditions of obscure Kern or
Gershwin tunes (suitable, of course, to the discussion). After retirement, he
and Lynn delighted in supporting local theatre. Even when Lynn was challenged
with mobility issues in later years, they kept up their theatre-going,
until COVID put a stop to all of that. In 2019, for example, Arthur sent me a
list of show recommendations and advised that, as of October, he and Lynn
had seen about 95 productions.
Lynn and Arthur lived in a heritage home in New Westminster that they
lovingly restored. Arthur took a course in electrical projects so he could
replace the antique wiring himself. Their home was full of many charming
though sometimes puzzling pieces. A visitor would marvel at the range of
human ingenuity after spending a few minutes perusing arrays of hooks on
spring mechanisms (Arthur’s collection of scales for weighing fish),
strangely reticulated arrays of metal (Arthur’s collection of collapsible
clothes hangers for travellers) and racks of recordings (mostly musicals, of
course—Arthur frequently remarked what a blessed time it was that there
was a market for niche recordings, from which he purchased in profusion).
His basement housed a full law library. And he assembled a truly wonderful
collection of legal art and memorabilia that, it is to be hoped, will find a suitable
home where the pieces can be displayed for all to enjoy.
Arthur enrolled at the UBC Faculty of Law at age 25 (1966), was editor of
the U.B.C. Law Review (1968–69) and obtained his LL.B. in 1969, graduating
as the gold medallist.
He articled from 1969 to 1970 and practised for a brief time in Vancouver
before, in 1972, joining the B.C. Law Reform Commission (the “Commission”),
originally as a staff lawyer, then counsel to the Commission (1973),
then a full-time member (1979), and then vice-chair (1983).
At the Commission offices, Arthur was often seen holding a mug of his
special blend of coffee (when coffee was freshly brewed, the dregs of the old
were decanted into a pot for Arthur alone, there allowed to mellow before
being eventually savoured). And if not enjoying a cup of coffee, he loved