Douglas Sylvannus McArthur

December 31, 1944 - June 30, 2020

Douglas Sylvannus McArthur (Doug) passed away at Seton Hospital on June 30, 2020, at the age of 75. We will remember Doug as a devoted family man who liked helping others. He took care of his extended family and friends, and would go out of his way to help strangers. Always willing to contribute and get involved, he volunteered with Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby, Project Transitions, Capital Area Parkinson’s Society, and Power for Parkinson’s. A problem solver at heart, Doug was diligent and always concerned that things be done right. He considered issues from every angle and prepared for contingencies. He loved a good spreadsheet. He was an engineer by training and worked for the Texas Health Department, Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, and Starwood hotels. Doug was born on December 31, 1944 to Howard and Gladys McArthur. He grew up on a farm near Holdrege, Nebraska. Doug’s father died when Doug was a teenager, leaving him to be the man of the family. Doug attended the University of Nebraska, where he met his wife Joan. He was a captain in the Army Medical Service Corps stationed in Korea. He moved to Austin in 1972 to get his master’s degree at the University of Texas. Doug had a playful sense of humor and a penchant for teasing, but he was always full of consideration for everyone. Doug loved travel and gardening, and he collected rare coins. Doug is survived by his wife Joan, children Rachel and David and daughter-in-law Bea, and sisters Bonnie Jean Haan, Lanissa Hansen, and Rhoda Preston. Donations in Doug’s memory can be made to Power for Parkinson’s at powerforparkinsons.org/donate, the Capital Area Parkinson’s Society at capitalareaparkinsons.org/support-caps-efforts, or the UNICEF Children's Fund at unicefusa.org.