Arthur Cecil Kramer grew up in Pittsburgh near Squirrel Hill. He was a Pittsburgh man through and through and found great pride in his city. While not religious, Art identified as Jewish and highly valued the Jewish community. He passed away at the age of 87 on Nov. 8, 2019.
Art was entrepreneurial from a young age, starting out as a newspaper boy at age seven and ice cream salesperson at age 10. He supported himself through college with various jobs and a hard-earned senatorial scholarship. Art had a strong work ethic and was determined to be a successful business man, having grown up with less.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh, Art was subsequently drafted into the U.S. Army, serving for two years as accountant, with a year overseas. He was proud of his service, stating it served as a foundation for his life regarding character, career and family.
He became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and obtained a master’s degree in accounting from Duquesne University. After working for a CPA firm for a few years, Art founded his own, Kramer & Associates, which became the vehicle for a lifelong successful career. He valued education and began teaching accounting at Point Park University (formerly Point Park College), where he retired with the honor of professor emeritus after 33 years. His firm also served as a place where he could mentor students and provide them with hands-on accounting experience as they developed their careers. In fact, one of his students, John Thompson, became Art’s decades-long business partner and close friend.
Arthur loved the performing arts. He supported students and professionals in local musical theater, Broadway and the Pittsburgh Pops Symphony with his time and financial assistance. In retirement, he donated his time and money to various causes including serving as a volunteer with SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), an organization providing free mentoring to new small business owners and as a welcome ambassador with the Pittsburgh International Airport.
Arthur was a social being and thrived through his many strong relationships with nuclear and extended family as well as his lifelong and more recent friendships. He is remembered as a supportive, generous man of integrity with a deep concern for others.
This legacy fund will serve as a place to honor his memory and celebrate his life. In that vein, the fund will offer scholarships and grants in areas Art deeply valued including education, especially in the fields of accounting, finance and business; the performing (cultural) arts; the Jewish community; and nonprofits supporting entrepreneurial endeavors.