R.I.P. Arthur B. Ward III

Yesterday I learned of the sudden death of 76-year-old Arthur "Art" Ward. Art had a short on-stage association with the Mickee Faust Club.

For many years, he had become a fixture in the background because his late wife, Dr. Maryanne Ward, had been one of our writers and a very large presence in her motorized wheelchair which sometimes doubled as a tank, or Pharaoh's throne. Art's biggest breakthrough as an actor was in a video short I wrote called, "K-Tel Kurt Weill" in which he played the title character at the piano. With the glasses, Art was a near dead-ringer for the German composer. And Maryanne was a very grumpy looking Lotte Lenya. It was fitting to put him at the piano. He loved music, and had picked up the accordian. We also used his sense of rhythm to be our drummer in Maryanne's masterpiece, "MacBeef; a fast-food tradgedie". The "Braveheart" make-up and costume were hysterical.


Art had devoted much of his life caring for Maryanne as her illness debilitated her more and more. Since her passing, he was able to take care of himself and do things he'd always wanted to do. He had bought a place outside of Aspen, so that he could enjoy some R&R there.


Art was an avid runner, so his death by a heart attack was particularly unexpected. I am sorry that his life ended just as he was getting a second-wind. His brother, sister-in-law, and niece, his companion, his running family, and the Faustkateers will miss him.


Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon him.