Art Bakewell: Consummate vets’ officer
BROWNSVILLE – A man of honor, a man of integrity, a true professional, the consummate veterans’ advocate – there aren’t enough adjectives to describe the late Arthur Bakewell when you talk to the people he worked with over the years. Bakewell served as the director of veterans’ affairs at California University of Pennsylvania from 1973 until his retirement in December, 1991. He held numerous other positions at the university as well, including international student advisor, advisor to students with disabilities and counseling center coordinator.
A Brownsville native, Bakewell died on Wednesday, July 31.
“We hired him as the veterans’ affairs director, but every time we had a problem, we turned to him,” said Elmo Natali, the retired vice president of student development at Cal U. “All you had to do was give him an assignment and it was done, and done well. His answer always was, ‘If you think I can do, I’ll do it.'”
Bakewell joined the university staff after serving 27 years in the U.S. Army. He served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, receiving numerous commendations and retiring as a colonel.
“He was a true professional. He brought that with him from the military,” Natali said.
Despite the many hats Bakewell wore at the university, his first love was his job in veterans’ affairs.
The current veterans’ affairs director, Charles Williamson, was a Vietnam veteran starting as a freshman the year Bakewell was hired.
“He was just an amazing man. I met him in the fall of 1973 when I was just applying to the university as a student,” Williamson said. “He mentored me well.”
Williamson said he started as a student worker for Bakewell and eventually became his assistant before being named director upon Bakewell’s retirement.
“People used to ask me how it felt to replace Art Bakewell. I’d say, ‘I didn’t replace anyone; I’m just trying to do Art’s job the best I can,'” Williamson said.
“I probably would not have finished college without his prodding. He helped me find my life’s work here.”
Williamson said Bakewell had a soft spot in his heart for Vietnam veterans, and the veterans at the university came to look upon him as a father figure.
In 1983, the Veterans’ Club at Cal U established the Arthur L. Bakewell Scholarship Fund in his honor.
Each year, the fund gives out three $1,000 scholarships to honorably discharged veterans who are sophomores or higher.
“He was the consummate veterans’ advocate,” Williamson said.
“Art was a colonel.
“Art was matter-of-fact.
“He didn’t mince words.
“He told you the way it was.
“He had a presence in any room he was in, though not an abrasive presence.”
Bakewell was equally active in veterans’ affairs off-campus.
He also served as the commander of VFW Post 47 in Uniontown and Commander of VFW District 23.
He was named a Distinguished Member of the Regiment of the 16h Infantry Regiment Association at Ft. Riley, Kansas, in 1999.
“Art dedicated his life to family, service and students.
“I think everyone who worked with him was touched by his life,” Williamson said.
“He was a man of honor and integrity.”