Arthur Southerland, Jr.

Arthur Southerland (Hyattsville/Landover (MD) Alumni Chapter – 1990) transitioned to the Chapter Invisible on Monday, May 11, 2020, at the age of 90. Born on August 10, 1929 in Laurinburg, NC, he passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones. Arthur graduated from Laurinburg Institute. A proud Aggie, he earned a Mechanical Engineering Degree from A & T College in Greensboro, NC in 1952. He served in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant. He earned a MS Degree in Engineering Administration from George Washington University. Arthur worked on Naval Ship Design as a Naval Architect in Norfolk and Washington, DC. He retired in 1985, after 33 years. He co-owned Learning Ideas School Supply Store for 11 years. He worshipped at Asbury United Methodist Church since 1966. He served as the treasurer of the DC Chapter of the National Technical Association (NTA).

A lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Brother Southerland was initiated into the Bond through the Hyattsville/Landover (MD) Alumni Chapter in the Spring of 1990. He, along with 9 other men, was brought in on the ship “The Last Crusade.” He was affectionately known
as ‘Old Milwaukee.’ Although Brother Southerland did not hold any offices or chairmanships within the chapter, he was heralded as being just a ‘Good Brother.’

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary M. Southerland; his children, Debra, Sandra, Arthur, Theresa, and Cynthia; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many other family and others whose lives he touched. A private celebration of his life and interment was held