The Rev. Arthur J. Holtz, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died Saturday, September 14, 2002. Father Arthur was born February 21, 1928, in Hastings, a son of the late Edwin and Helen (Luther) Holtz. He attended Hastings Public School and Saint Vincent Preparatory School in Latrobe. He graduated from Saint Vincent College in 1951 and from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1954. He also received a master in music education from the University of Michigan in 1958.

Father Arthur entered Saint Vincent Archabbey in 1947, making simple profession of vows July 2, 1848, and solemn professino of vows July 11, 1951. He was ordained a priest May 22, 1954. Father Arthur was a member of the music department at Saint Vincent College and Preparatory School from 1954 until 1972, named chair of the music department in 1967 and was assistant choirmaster and organist for the Archabbey.

From 1974 to 1983 he was business manager and teacher at the Benedictine Military School in Savannah, Georgia. He worked in the Archabbey’s parish apostolates for several years, serving as assistant pastor at Saint Benedict Parish in Baltimore, Maryland. He was pastor of several Pennsylvania parishes, including Saint Mary’s in Erie, Saint Nicholas in Nicktown, Sacred Heart in Saint Marys, Saint Gertrude in Vandergrift and Saint Martin in New Derry. In 2001, he was named assistant to the prior at the Archabbey.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Donald; and a sister, Bernice Horten. He is survived by three brotherrs, Edgar of Pittsburgh, Wilbur of Columbia, Md., and Ralph of Olney, Md.; and a sister-in-law, Margaret Holtz of Hastings.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday, September 18 in Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Benedictine Health and Welfare Fund, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650-2690.