Arthur, John (Musician)

John M. Arthur, 1922 to 2010, was born on August 17, 1922 in the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pa. While receiving a masters degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, Arthur began working for the Duquesne Light Company as a junior engineer in 1944. In the years that followed, Arthur rose to the positions of supervisor, chief electrician, general superintendent, and vice president before becoming the president of Duquesne Light in 1967. The following year, Arthur was elected as the company chief executive officer and chairman of the board. At the helm of this company during a time of great change in the power industry, Arthur consistently pushed for increases in the company generating capacity. With this initiative in mind, Arthur championed the 1.4 billion dollar construction of two nuclear power plants, Beaver Valley Unit 1 and Beaver Valley Unit 2. The two plants joined Duquesne Light Shippingport plant, which was the first peacetime nuclear power plant. Initially, Arthur was hopeful that these power plants would power the resurgence of the Pittsburgh steel industry. Unfortunately, upon his retirement in 1987, Duquesne Light had not reaped any benefits from these plants and had suffered dramatic decreases in their stockholdings. Furthermore, Arthur had suffered public criticism for his company initiatives to raise electricity bills so as to fund its expansion. Beyond his role in developing nuclear power plants, Arthur also oversaw the modernization of generating units and the installation of scrubber systems that rendered Duquesne Light coal-fired plant emissions cleaner. While serving as CEO and chairman of Duquesne Light, Arthur fostered a friendship with Admiral Hyman Rickover (1900-1986), considered to be the father of the nuclear Navy. In addition to his work with Duquesne Light, his civic life included participation on the boards of many companies, including Mellon Bank, Mine Safety Appliances, and Joy Manufacturing. Arthur also served as a trustee for the University of Pittsburgh and Robert Morris University. Arthur married Ann Martin on June 19, 1948 and had three children.