- Date Of Birth: October 9, 1927
- Date Of Death: December 1, 2017
- State: Colorado
Arthur (“Art”) Joseph Hohmann of Aspen died peacefully on December 1, 2017 after a brief illness. Art, the only child of Joseph and Lucy (Vierneisel) Hohmann, was born in Chicago on October 9, 1927. He was raised in Chicago and Los Angeles, returning to Chicago to attend Northwestern University. His college years were interrupted by World War II. He enlisted in the army, where his fluent German, knowledge of physics and mathematics, and even his baseball skills were put to good use. After serving, Art returned to Northwestern and graduated with degrees in Mathematics and Economics.
Art had a long and successful career in advertising; as his dear friend and colleague recently stated, “We have lost one of the original Mad Men.” Art managed some of the most important clients and accounts of that era, tapping into his creative genius and ingenuity. Along the way he worked for the Foote, Cone, and Belding, Leo Burnett, and Ted Bates agencies. Ultimately, Art joined Norman Craig & Kummel (NCK) in New York City, and went on to become the President and CEO of NCK Europe, based in London. He ended his advertising career in 1968 because, to him, the business had become “a lot less fun.”
In the years that followed, Art lived in New York City and founded and managed a hedge fund, then created a limited partnership to purchase real estate projects, several in Texas. A few years later he moved to Oklahoma where he formed and ran a real estate syndication that oversaw 4000+ apartments. On weekends, he might be found playing squash or tennis, or at a chili cook-off making his unique bear meat chili.
From the mid-1980s to the present, Art had a variety of business ventures. But his greatest joy was the time he took off to travel the world. He also learned to ski, and in the early 1990’s, Art moved to Aspen full time. Art loved the arts, bridge, skiing and outdoor lifestyle that Aspen afforded him. Additionally, Art adored all genres of music and was an avid collector of rare and unusual wines.
Art will be greatly missed by his longtime partner Jill Fink. Art, a confirmed bachelor, met Jill in a ski locker room in January 1992. They quickly became close friends, and ultimately soulmates and life partners.
Art’s family and friends will remember him for his wise mentoring, wonderful stories, compassion, humor and extraordinary creativity. Art is survived by his beloved Jill and his adopted family: Laura and Bob Katter of Piedmont, CA and their children Julia and Justin, and Carolyn and Adam Greene of Glastonbury, CT and their children Benjamin and Joshua. They all loved Art and are grateful for having him in their lives, and will miss him deeply.
