Wheaton businessman made everyone feel they mattered
Arthur A. Armbrust headed one of Wheaton's longest-standing businesses.
He inherited Armbrust Plumbing from his father, Clarence, who founded the company in 1918.
But with passions surrounding his family and philanthropy, Art Armbrust was much more than simply the best-known plumber in town.
A lifelong resident of Wheaton born in 1927, Mr. Armbrust died June 25 at age 81 in the family room of the Elm Street home he built in 1956. He died in the company of his wife of 57 years, Vada (Doyle) of Glen Ellyn, and their seven children.
A Mass was held June 29 at St. Michael's Church in Wheaton, where Mr. Armbrust had been baptized. The service and wake celebrated a life in which he attended an estimated 1,400 games, plays and recitals by his grandchildren; received decoration by Rotary International, the Wheaton Park District and both St. Francis High School and St. Michael Parish School; and was awarded a key to the city of Cedar City, Utah, having donated land to Southern Utah University to build an equestrian center and the Ashcroft Observatory.
"He had the unique gift of making everyone he met feel that they mattered," said son-in-law Dan Doody. "Despite living such a full life, he made time for everyone. Among his greatest gifts was his ability to listen and to give advice by asking questions, forever reserving judgment of others."
As a humanitarian, among the most cherished of Mr. Armbrust's many public honors came in 1973 when he became the recipient of Rotary International's first "Mr. Four-Way Test" award, which centered on asking if one's actions and activities were truthful, fair, built goodwill and were beneficial to all.
He proved such merit with constructive service on the Wheaton Public Library Board from 1974-77 and by establishing the DuPage Parochial League during 28 years of dedication to St. Michael athletic programs.
In 1971 Mr. Armbrust also was recognized with a resolution by the Wheaton Park District Board.
A philanthropist who took up a 49-year quest into the causes of cancer and a cure following the 1959 death of a nephew to leukemia, Mr. Armbrust's influence was felt far outside Wheaton.
As an undergraduate of Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa - he also attended Arizona State University after graduating from Wheaton Community High School - he organized a function welcoming George Allen as Morningside's new head football coach.
Learning the dance hall he'd rented would not allow African-Americans to attend, he found a venue that welcomed all.
In 1967, with friend Doug Loerzel, Mr. Armbrust edited and self-published a book, "Do You Believe in Miracles," a compilation of 35 stories solicited through an ad he placed in Reader's Digest.
His preface for the book helps summarize the essence of a man who worked each day for truth and good will.
"It is my hope," Mr. Armbrust wrote, "that the result (from reading the book) will be a greater freedom from fear, renewed confidence in the Supreme Power, increased compassion for our fellow man - regardless of the color of his skin or his creed - and greater courage to go forth and meet each problem with confidence day by day."