ARTHUR S. BAHNMULLER
Arthur Stone "Art" Bahnmuller, 87, husband of the late Virginia Newton Bahnmuller (62 years of marriage), passed away on May 11, 2018, at Covenant Place in Sumter.
He was born on May 4, 1931, in Farmingville, New York, and was a son of the late Arthur Stanley and Alma Stone Bahnmuller. He graduated from Bayport High School, Long Island, in 1949, where he held numerous track, basketball and baseball awards.
In 1953, he graduated from the University of South Carolina, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. While attending USC, he played on the freshman basketball team, was a member of the Tau Beta Pi and Epsilon Lambda Sigma (honorary engineering fraternity), president of the student chapter of American Society of Civil Engineers and awarded outstanding civil engineering graduate. He was also a member of Phi Alpha Delta (law fraternity).
He worked three years as a structural engineer with Goodyear Aircraft Corp. before serving two years with the U.S. Air Force (1955-1957). He was honorably discharged with two letters of commendation. He later served in the S.C. National Guard (1958-1963), and he was honorably discharged with the rank of captain.
Mr. Bahnmuller became a part-time instructor at USC - School of Engineering while pursing his law degree. He graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1960 and started practicing law in Sumter. In 1962, he formed a partnership with Werber Bryan and practiced law for 46 years.
Mr. Bahnmuller served the community and the state in several ways: U.S. Commissioner for the Eastern District of SC (1964-1968), Sumter County Election Commission (1964-1977), chairman, American Bar Association, S.C. Bar Association, Sumter Bar Association, S.C. Trial Lawyers Association, chairman of the Sumter County Bobby Richardson Day Appreciation Committee (1967), chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board (1966-1968), chairman of the Sumter County National Foundation, March of Dimes, chairman of the Corporate Gifts Division of the 1966 United Fund Drive, chairman of the City Zoning Board of Appeals (1967-1968), past board member of the Sumter YMCA, past member of the Sumter Jaycees (past board of directors of Jaycees) and being awarded "Outstanding Young Man of the Year" in 1966 and "Boss of the Year" in 1971, past member of the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce, past member of the Sumter Rotary Club, receiving the Paul Harris Award, member of the Gamecock Club, member of the USC Alumni Association, past president of the Millwood Elementary School PTA, and basketball coach in the YMCA church league for 10 years. His proudest achievement was his election to the board of trustees for the University of South Carolina in 1990. He served faithfully as a trustee for 20 years, retiring in 2010.
Surviving are his two sons, Brant Arthur Bahnmuller of Sumter and wife, Em, and Brion Eric Bahnmuller of Spartanburg and wife, Deb; four grandsons, Stuart, Tyler (wife Shelby), Chase and Parker Bahnmuller; and one granddaughter, Kate Smith.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Ethel "Bonnie" Coman of Woodruff.
Memorial services will be held at noon on Saturday at Grace Baptist Church with Bobby Richardson officiating.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall.
A private burial service will be held at Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Stuart Bahnmuller, Tyler Bahnmuller, Chase Bahnmuller, Parker Bahnmuller, David Goldman and Johnathan Bryan.
Honorary pallbearers will be past and present members of the Bryan Law Firm.
In lieu of flowers and in remembrance of Art, memorials may be made to YMCA of Sumter, 510 Miller Road, Sumter, SC 29150 or Salvation Army, P.O. Box 2229, Sumter, SC 29151.
Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com.
Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.