Arthur Allen Opfer Obituary (1936

Arthur Allen (Art) Opfer passed away Friday, June 26th, 2026. Art was born in Berlin Heights, Ohio on June 30, 1936 to John & Christine Opfer. He was raised in Berlin Heights. After graduating high school in 1954 he joined the US Air Force. When stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois, he met his future wife, Kay Aldrich. It was during his assignment in Illinois that he was first introduced to his future occupation of teaching. After an honorable discharge in 1958, Art married Kay on December 27th. Then he began studying at Illinois State Normal University, while Kay finished the last year of her Bachelor of Science degree. On September 30th of 1959 they were blessed with the birth of their first son, Allen. While at Illinois State he worked part time in various jobs on and off campus and graduated in June, 1961. He began teaching driver education and woodworking at Bremen High School in Midlothian, Illinois. A daughter, Julie was born in 1962 and a son, Gary in 1965. When a diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease stopped him from teaching in 1967, he applied for and was selected as an intern at the Automotive Safety Foundation (ASF) in Washington, DC. He worked on research and curriculum development. After six months he was asked to become a member of ASF. Later he was promoted to be the director of its Highway Safety Division, which he held until March, 1972. After receiving an offer to join the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction he moved his family to Yakima. His job in Yakima involved the coordination of 60+ high school driver education programs throughout Central Washington, while also developing curriculum. During this time, his wife Kay taught hearing impaired students in the Yakima School District. In 1984, he was given the unique opportunity to become an author of a high school driver education text book. He co-authored DRIVE RIGHT, along with tests, student work sheets, and teacher resource guides. Art was very active in professional driver education associations at both at the state and national levels. He was recognized for his dedication to the associations by his receiving their highest awards for individual contributions to the profession. The chance to early retire in 1992 was too good to pass-up, so Art and Kay both took advantage of it. Soon into retirement, Art gave his life to the Lord and continued to serve Him right until his death. He was especially blessed by calling on shut-ins and coordinating the home groups at WestSide Church. He also got to use his gifts to help remodel the church and landscape a new addition. His family and friends truly enjoyed many times together at their cabin on Chinook Pass. God’s creations were deeply appreciated in the mountains. In 1993 he became a member of Yakima’s Master Gardeners and gained an even greater appreciation of God’s creations. About the same time he used his talents making oak furniture and other items for family, friends and sale. He also enjoyed sharing plants, flowers, vegetables and fruit from his back yard with others. During his retirement years he was involved in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), Promise Keepers, and Bible studies that WestSide offered. He was blessed many times over when he shared his faith with shut-ins. Art is survived by his children; Allen (Sheryl) Opfer of Yakima; Julie (Bruce) McCormack of West Seattle; Gary (Donna) Opfer of Lake Forest Park; and six grand-children, Ryan, Kristen, Megan, John, Adam and Karen. He was preceded in death by his wife Kay in 2023, father John in 1976, mother Christine in 1988, brother Bob in 2006, and two sisters; Mary in 1978, and Betty in 2000.