Arthur P. Hotchkiss

0n October 3, 2021, Dr. Arthur P. Hotchkiss of Noank, CT and The Elms of Westerly, RI, passed away peacefully. He was 84 years old. Born in Bainbridge, Georgia, he was the son of E. Lloyd and Margaret A. Hotchkiss. Dr. Hotchkiss, known as “Art”, is survived by his wife, Mary Pullan Hotchkiss; his three children: Timothy , Amy and Craig, as well as his former wife and the mother of their children, Linda S. Lindquist; a brother, Edwin, plus several nieces, nephews and cousins. Last but not least is Art’s 15-year-old dear, treasured and handsome grandson, Cyrus.
Art was an extraordinary and accomplished man. He graduated from Phillips Andover Academy, Yale University, Class of 1959 (cum laude) and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (magna cum laude). He was an outstanding pianist, and it was a thrill to hear him play Scott Joplin’s ragtime music. While attending Yale, Art was the organist at the Methodist Church in his hometown of Seymour, Connecticut. It is a known fact that the congregation increased in number whenever he was playing.
And how Art loved to laugh! As a teen-ager, he and his buddy, Ed Haversat, would hoot and howl and literally roll on the floor while watching “The Milton Berle Show” ! At about the same time, Art had a brief stint as a lifeguard at Legion Pool in Seymour. It was more about watching girls than rescuing a swimmer in distress.
Commissioned as a Captain, Art served three years in the US Air Force in Anchorage, Alaska. While there, he and his family experienced the frightening and devastating Alaskan earthquake of 1964. After working in the clinic there, he returned to the lower 48 and went into practice with Dr. Albert D. Spicer in Westerly, RI. Upon Dr. Spicer’s retirement, Art continued practicing by himself for more than three decades.
Joining the Watch Hill Yacht Club in 1967, Art learned to sail and taught Tim who, subsequently, devoted his life to sailing and racing. Art started to play golf with his father at a young age and pursued it his whole life. He was a member of The Stonington Country Club, and highlights of his life were the many golfing trips he took with his golfing buddies.
Art was an artist and worked with oils, pen and ink, watercolors and soapstone. He instilled in Amy and Craig his love of the outdoors and the value of creative endeavors, especially in the field of art. Birding was another enjoyable pastime for Art. He and Mary traveled to many parts of the world to add to their life list of birds.
Has anyone either played or watched Art play racquetball? He loved the Westerly YMCA and played there until he was 83. Two of his regular opponents were Tim and Amy. He won numerous medals in his age group both nationally and internationally. His grandson now proudly possesses one of those medals. A formidable foe on the court, the only thing that Art ever killed was the racquetball.
As a family, we enjoyed museums, aquariums, shows, sporting events, National and amusement parks, ski trips and cribbage. For that we will forever be grateful.
A father, grandfather, husband, friend, musician, artist, athlete and a wonderful dentist!
Rest in peace, Dad.
Donations in Art’s memory may be made to the Ocean Community YMCA, High Street, Westerly, RI 02891 or to The Groton Open Space Association (GOSA), PO Box 9187, Groton, CT 06340-9187
A celebration of Art’s life will be held on Friday, October 22nd from 2-5:30 p.m. at The Stonington Country Club in Stonington, CT.