Farewell to a fellow CineVerse member

Art Myren, a CineVerse member since November 2011, passed away last month suddenly and unexpectedly. He will be remembered for his undying curiosity about cinema, enthusiasm for watching and exploring movies that challenge our understanding of the world, and insightful observations about films and the lessons we can learn from them. Rest in peace, Art.

Below is a reproduction of Art's biography, originally printed in his church bulletin and shared during his memorial service:


PAUL ARTHUR MYREN July 7, 1934 - January 17, 2017

Art was born to Paul Rheinhold and Ellen Maria (Anderson) Myren who had both immigrated to America from Sweden but met and married in Chicago. Art was baptized and later confirmed in the Englewood Swedish Mission Covenant Church, attended Ruggles Grammar School and Hirsch High School. A February graduate, he spent one semester at Wright Junior College before entering Wheaton College in fall of 1952.

In the spring semester of his freshman year he found Millie Hallett playing ping pong with her college roommate. He offered to play the winner; Millie won and that began a lifetime relationship. (By the way, she beat him in ping pong!) Art majored in geography and was a four-year member of the College Chapel Choir touring many parts of the country. He graduated in January of 1956 and in February he and Millie became engaged. Upon graduation he chose to go to the Naval Officers' Candidate School which he completed in December of 1956. Millie, in the meantime, was living at home pursuing a Masters Degree in English literature at the University of Chicago.

Art was sent to Washington D.C. for a brief time before his assignment to the Naval Intelligence Office in Seattle, Washington. September 28, 1956 was his and Millie's wedding date and on October 1st they loaded their new red Chevrolet station wagon and headed cross country to Seattle. Art had already established himself in the First Covenant Church of Seattle and that became their church home where they were active in choir, youth work and a vital young-marrieds group. They bought their first home and Millie began teaching 8th grade Language Arts and Social Studies in the fall of 1958. With his naval tour of duty finished in 1960 he entered the University of Washington and got his Masters' degree in Urban Planning. In the summer 1962 he and Millie volunteered at the Seattle World's Fair and in the fall moved back to Chicago. Morgan Park Baptist Church became their church home and both have remained active members in a variety of ways.

Daughter Janice Ellen was born January 30, 1963 and son Mark Fraser, August 3, 1966. Art was employed by a private planning firm out of New Jersey with offices in Chicago. His assignments took him into Wisconsin, Ohio and Nebraska. Later he was hired by the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission and worked with many of the Chicago suburbs on issues of zoning, traffic patterns, water problems, etc. When funds for planning dried up he turned to a number of different occupations mainly Chicago convention work and serving as a Chicago city tour guide which he loved.

In retirement he thoroughly enjoyed teaching and taking classes in the Renaissance Academy at Saint Xavier University. He never lost his curiosity about life, nature, people, the world -- you name it. He loved learning through books, movies, lectures and conversations. He loved fixing things, puttering, fleshing out new ideas, boats, swimming, Green Lake, desk work and even ironing. He loved his family-children, and grandchildren: Jan's children, Michael, Jason and Jessica; and Mark's children, Michael, Emily, Ann, and Kevin, He was devoted to his wife, Millie, and supported her career and her calling. He was a man who loved and served his God all his life, and we are better for having loved him and being loved by him.