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News / Obituaries / Southampton Press / 1453938

John M. Arms Of Bridgehampton Dies August 11

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author on Aug 14, 2017

Architect John M. Arms of New York City and Bridgehampton died at his Bridgehampton home on August 11, 2017. He was 86.

Mr. Arms was born in Evanston, Illinois, the youngest of four, to Frances and Eugene Arms of Wilmette, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Michigan School of Architecture and Design in 1955. In 1956, he married artist Anneli (Muschenheim) Arms of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and they moved to New York City to begin their 60-year marriage. They were early pioneers residing in the area now known as SOHO and, with many other artists and architects, were instrumental in petitioning the city to preserve and grant landmark status to buildings with cast iron facades slated for demolition for urban renewal projects.

Mr. Arms was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 1962 to study in Denmark, where his love for modern architecture further developed. He was an associate partner at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill for 37 years, and his designs could be seen in almost every major hospital in New York City, and in private residences on Long Island. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the period of the Korean War.

A gifted storyteller, Mr. Arms enchanted family and friends with his many adventures, including hitchhiking and traveling by rail throughout the West and his travels through Europe. He had a passion for genealogy and traced descendants to Roger Williams, the Puritan leader considered the founder of the state of Rhode Island.

He is survived by his wife, Anneli Arms; son Thomas; daughter-in-law Maria; granddaughter Isabella; brother Brock Arms and partner Alan Koenig; and several nieces and nephews.

Burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice, eeh.org.

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