Col. Arthur A. Scott (AF Retired), a 35 year resident of Gainesville, was born on August 1, 1919 and died on March 11, 2017.
Col. Scott joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and after receiving his training and commission, served as a B-24 pilot with the 446th Bomber Group stationed in Bungay, England, flying combat missions over Germany. His career continued in the Air Force, always maintaining his flying status as a Command Pilot, but also serving in the budgeting and fiscal operations and teaching in the military. His last assignment was as Director of Data Automation for the Air Defense Command. He was stationed in places ranging from England, Bermuda, Japan, Alaska, and other states in all areas of the country.
Col. Scott (better known as Scottie) did not have the opportunity to graduate from high school but received an accelerated education from the Army in order to qualify for Air Cadet Training. He later received a Bachelor of Military Science from the University of Maryland, a Masters from Indiana University in Business while continuing his service in the Air Force, and privately completed about half the requirements for a Ph.D. from New York University before the demands of his service career (and being transferred to Alaska) ended his quest. He also completed numerous schools and training in the Air Force, including being a graduate of the Air War College. He retired from the Air Force on October 1, 1969.
His post-retirement career included teaching on the college level, private industry and his final position as Deputy City Manager (and several long stints as Acting City Manager) at Hallandale Beach, Florida where he met and married his wife of 38 years, Barbara.
Scottie and Barbara moved to Gainesville in 1982 and lived an extremely active and fun life until age took its inevitable toll on Scottie. They spent many happy hours exploring the back roads and rivers of Florida, enjoyed dabbling in raising Arabian horses, and traveling by car throughout the country while visiting children and grandchildren. He was known as a physical fitness advocate and was known for his devotion to jogging and biking by neighbors and friends. He was an avid (if not very good) golfer and was a member of the University of Florida Golf Club in excess of 20 years, the last 4 years of this activity accompanied several times a week by the non-golfing Barbara whose job it was to drive the cart, retrieve his golf balls from the sand traps, and locate the golf balls, this necessitated by Scottie’s loss of much of his vision. He continued his devotion to physical activity by riding his 3-wheel bicycle in his neighborhood of The Valley and working out on his exercise equipment on the back porch almost until his death at age 97.
Scottie is survived by his wife, Barbara Scott of Gainesville, his two daughters, Laura Kennedy of Fairfax, VA. (who followed in his footsteps by retiring as an Air Force Colonel), Laura’s three children and his daughter Allison Nardi (a retired Deputy Sheriff of Dade County) and her husband of Elkton, KY. He was preceded in death by his first daughter, Susanne Hoover of Indianapolis, IN and is also survived by his former wife, Elizabeth Scott of Fairfax, VA.
He is also leaves Michael Hinsz and Barbara Ornstein of Gainesville, Malvin Hinsz of Brandon, Florida and John Hinsz of Sunrise, Florida, who enjoyed 38 years of “life with Scottie”, their various spouses, eight grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.
In accordance with Scottie’s wishes, no formal services will be held. Arrangements are under the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home, Gainesville, Florida.
