Obituary of Melville Hebbard MacArthur

MELVILLE HEBBARD MacARTHUR, passed away on April 4, 2016 in California. Hebbard was born in Davenport Center, New York on September 10, 1914. He was the son of Alexander Law MacArthur, a dairy farmer and Mary Hebbard MacArthur, a one room schoolhouse teacher and the first person in her family to earn a college degree. Hebbard is survived by his daughters, Linda MacArthur Ebie and Laurie MacArthur Cook: son, Christopher Hebbard MacArthur: sisters, Helen McNair and Mary Schafer and brother, Seth G. MacArthur, DDS. He is predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Shirley Mae MacArthur and brothers, John J. MacArthur and Paul D. MacArthur. He was the grandfather of eight and great grandfather of three. Hebbard moved to Riverside, California as an orphan at the age of 16. He was the oldest of 6 children, ages 13, 11, 9, 7 and 5. He returned to New York and graduated from Hartwick College in Oneonta in 1936, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. While at Hartwick, he served as Student Body President. After returning to California, Hebbard graduated from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in 1940. He was the last surviving member of his class. He was honored to serve his country in World War II, as a dentist in the United States Army for four years, on the island of Saipan, achieving the rank of Major. Dr. MacArthur practiced Dentistry from 1940-1987 in both Los Angeles and Riverside. Some of his patients included James Arness (Gunsmoke): Fess Parker (Davy Crockett) and Cheech Marin (Cheech and Chong). Hebbard bought his first orange grove in Riverside in 1946, and continued to raise navel oranges on 60 acres in Riverside until his death. He moved his family to Riverside in 1963 and lived in the same house on Adams St. on a 10-acre orange grove until shortly before his death. Dr. MacArthur served his community as an active member, for over 50 years. He was a former President of Magnolia Center Rotary Club, and a Gage Canal Board Member for over 40 years. He was also a Board Member for the Salvation Army: a 4-H Leader and volunteer for many community organizations. He was a long timer member of Calvary Presbyterian Church, all in California. In 1985, Hebbard endowed a scholarship in honor of his mother Mary Hebbard MacArthur, to assist children of farming families, to attend his alma mater, Hartwick College. He was influenced by many great Americans; Wisdom by Benjamin Franklin; Humor by Will Rogers, Jack Benny and former USC football coach, John McKay and followed the investment philosophy of Warren Buffett and Benjamin Graham. Dr. MacArthur was a voracious reader, who enjoyed investing in and studying well-run companies and real estate. He relished traveling, fishing and playing bridge and cribbage. Hebbard had favorite quotations including: "A tree (or a stock) does not grow to heaven", "Only buy the best, because the best is none too good", and "Travel the world, while you have the health to do so." He was a self-made man and believer in the virtue that you can accomplish anything with hard work, persistence and determination. A Celebration of his Life was held in Riverside, California. Burial and graveside services with full military honors will held at 11AM on Friday, June 17, 2016 at Davenport Cemetery, Davenport, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hartwick College; c/o Patricia Dopazo, Director of Planned Giving, College Advancement: Hartwick College; P.O. Box 4020 Oneonta, NY 13820 indicate Mary Hebbard MacArthur Scholarship on check memo line. Local arrangements are with MacArthur Funeral Home, Hobart. Please visit www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with the family.