Individual Details
Dr. Melville Hebbard MacArthur
(10 Sep 1914 - 4 Apr 2016)
Dr. Melville Hebbard MacArthur
September 10, 1914 - April 4, 2016
MELVILLE HEBBARD MacARTHUR, passed away on April 4, 2016 in California.
Hebbard was born in Davenport Center, New York on September 10, 1914. He was the
son of Alexander Law MacArthur, a dairy farmer and Mary Hebbard MacArthur, a one
room schoolhouse teacher and the first person in her family to earn a college degree.
Hebbard is survived by his daughters, Linda MacArthur Ebie and Laurie MacArthur Cook:
son, Christopher Hebbard MacArthur: sisters, Helen McNair and Mary Schafer and
brother, Seth G. MacArthur, DDS. He is predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Shirley Mae
MacArthur and brothers, John J. MacArthur and Paul D. MacArthur. He was the
grandfather of eight and great grandfather of three.
Hebbard moved to Riverside, California as an orphan at the age of 16. He was the oldest
of 6 children, ages 13, 11, 9, 7 and 5. He returned to New York and graduated from
Hartwick College in Oneonta in 1936, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.
While at Hartwick, he served as Student Body President. After returning to California,
Hebbard graduated from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in 1940.
He was the last surviving member of his class. He was honored to serve his country in
World War II, as a dentist in the United States Army for four years, on the island of Saipan,
achieving the rank of Major.
Dr. MacArthur practiced Dentistry from 1940-1987 in both Los Angeles and Riverside.
Some of his patients included James Arness (Gunsmoke): Fess Parker (Davy Crockett)
and Cheech Marin (Cheech and Chong).
Hebbard bought his first orange grove in Riverside in 1946, and continued to raise navel
oranges on 60 acres in Riverside until his death. He moved his family to Riverside in 1963
and lived in the same house on Adams St. on a 10-acre orange grove until shortly before
his death.
Dr. MacArthur served his community as an active member, for over 50 years. He was a
former President of Magnolia Center Rotary Club, and a Gage Canal Board Member for
over 40 years. He was also a Board Member for the Salvation Army: a 4-H Leader and
volunteer for many community organizations. He was a long timer member of Calvary
Presbyterian Church, all in California.
In 1985, Hebbard endowed a scholarship in honor of his mother Mary Hebbard MacArthur,
to assist children of farming families, to attend his alma mater, Hartwick College. He was
influenced by many great Americans; Wisdom by Benjamin Franklin; Humor by Will
Rogers, Jack Benny and former USC football coach, John McKay and followed the
investment philosophy of Warren Buffett and Benjamin Graham.
Dr. MacArthur was a voracious reader, who enjoyed investing in and studying well-run
companies and real estate. He relished traveling, fishing and playing bridge and cribbage.
Hebbard had favorite quotations including: "A tree (or a stock) does not grow to heaven",
"Only buy the best, because the best is none too good", and "Travel the world, while you
have the health to do so." He was a self-made man and believer in the virtue that you can
accomplish anything with hard work, persistence and determination.
A Celebration of his Life was held in Riverside, California. Burial and graveside services
with full military honors will held at 11AM on Friday, June 17, 2016 at Davenport
Cemetery, Davenport, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hartwick College; c/o
Patricia Dopazo, Director of Planned Giving, College Advancement: Hartwick College;
P.O. Box 4020 Oneonta, NY 13820 indicate Mary Hebbard MacArthur Scholarship on
check memo line.
Local arrangements are with MacArthur Funeral Home, Hobart. Please visit
www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with the family.
September 10, 1914 - April 4, 2016
MELVILLE HEBBARD MacARTHUR, passed away on April 4, 2016 in California.
Hebbard was born in Davenport Center, New York on September 10, 1914. He was the
son of Alexander Law MacArthur, a dairy farmer and Mary Hebbard MacArthur, a one
room schoolhouse teacher and the first person in her family to earn a college degree.
Hebbard is survived by his daughters, Linda MacArthur Ebie and Laurie MacArthur Cook:
son, Christopher Hebbard MacArthur: sisters, Helen McNair and Mary Schafer and
brother, Seth G. MacArthur, DDS. He is predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Shirley Mae
MacArthur and brothers, John J. MacArthur and Paul D. MacArthur. He was the
grandfather of eight and great grandfather of three.
Hebbard moved to Riverside, California as an orphan at the age of 16. He was the oldest
of 6 children, ages 13, 11, 9, 7 and 5. He returned to New York and graduated from
Hartwick College in Oneonta in 1936, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.
While at Hartwick, he served as Student Body President. After returning to California,
Hebbard graduated from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in 1940.
He was the last surviving member of his class. He was honored to serve his country in
World War II, as a dentist in the United States Army for four years, on the island of Saipan,
achieving the rank of Major.
Dr. MacArthur practiced Dentistry from 1940-1987 in both Los Angeles and Riverside.
Some of his patients included James Arness (Gunsmoke): Fess Parker (Davy Crockett)
and Cheech Marin (Cheech and Chong).
Hebbard bought his first orange grove in Riverside in 1946, and continued to raise navel
oranges on 60 acres in Riverside until his death. He moved his family to Riverside in 1963
and lived in the same house on Adams St. on a 10-acre orange grove until shortly before
his death.
Dr. MacArthur served his community as an active member, for over 50 years. He was a
former President of Magnolia Center Rotary Club, and a Gage Canal Board Member for
over 40 years. He was also a Board Member for the Salvation Army: a 4-H Leader and
volunteer for many community organizations. He was a long timer member of Calvary
Presbyterian Church, all in California.
In 1985, Hebbard endowed a scholarship in honor of his mother Mary Hebbard MacArthur,
to assist children of farming families, to attend his alma mater, Hartwick College. He was
influenced by many great Americans; Wisdom by Benjamin Franklin; Humor by Will
Rogers, Jack Benny and former USC football coach, John McKay and followed the
investment philosophy of Warren Buffett and Benjamin Graham.
Dr. MacArthur was a voracious reader, who enjoyed investing in and studying well-run
companies and real estate. He relished traveling, fishing and playing bridge and cribbage.
Hebbard had favorite quotations including: "A tree (or a stock) does not grow to heaven",
"Only buy the best, because the best is none too good", and "Travel the world, while you
have the health to do so." He was a self-made man and believer in the virtue that you can
accomplish anything with hard work, persistence and determination.
A Celebration of his Life was held in Riverside, California. Burial and graveside services
with full military honors will held at 11AM on Friday, June 17, 2016 at Davenport
Cemetery, Davenport, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hartwick College; c/o
Patricia Dopazo, Director of Planned Giving, College Advancement: Hartwick College;
P.O. Box 4020 Oneonta, NY 13820 indicate Mary Hebbard MacArthur Scholarship on
check memo line.
Local arrangements are with MacArthur Funeral Home, Hobart. Please visit
www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with the family.
Events
| Birth | 10 Sep 1914 | Davenport Center, Delaware, New York State |  | ||
| Death | 4 Apr 2016 | Riverside, Riverside, California, United States | |||
| Marriage | Frankie |
Families
| Spouse | Frankie ( - ) |
| Child | Living |
| Child | Living |
| Father | Alexander Law "Alex" MacArthur (1881 - ) |
| Mother | Mary Ella Hebbard (1888 - 1931) |
| Sibling | John MacArthur (1918 - ) |
| Sibling | Paul MacArthur (1920 - 2009) |
| Sibling | Living |
| Sibling | Dr. Seth MacArthur (1924 - 2022) |
| Sibling | Mary MacArthur (1926 - 2022) |