By Theron Tilgner
Arthur Tilgner was born Jan. 21, 1936 and passed away May 6, 2026.
Art was born in South Dakota and spent many years of his youth in the Black Hills. He grew up hunting and fishing and reading about the outdoors, especially Alaska.
With encouragement from his grandmother he pursued medical school and became a doctor. He finished a residency in general surgery and began his career in Denver, Colorado.
An opportunity presented itself in 1971 to become a rural physician in Alaska, so he adopted this, as it was his dream, and moved his family to Cordova.
He served as the only physician for many years and raised his family there. He lived out not only his professional dream but his personal, fishing, hunting, and flying small aircraft.
After 20 years, he moved to Anchorage and then Ninilchik, serving as a flight surgeon.
He created a unique smoked salmon business with his family and produced that product for many years before retiring to Wasilla.
He is survived by his wife Joanne; sons Les, Eric, Theron, Mike, Robert and Kris; and daughter Lisa.
Update: Loved ones will host a celebration of life for Art at the Mat-Su Resort in Wasilla starting at noon on Aug. 22.
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