Peter Arnold Dart was born June 21, 1933 in Hamilton, N.Y. and raised in Abilene, Texas. The oldest of seven children, he served in the Marine Corps and earned his Ph.D. from University of Iowa where he studied with Dr. Oscar Brockett. He wrote his dissertation on “the medium is the message,” a phrase coined by the Canadian communication theorist, Marshall McLuhan. He lived his life with passion, and often said, “if not now, when?”

Dr. Peter Dart was thrilled to teach at San Francisco State University 1966 to 1968. He then excelled as a tenured Journalism Professor, specializing in film and mass communications at The University of Kansas in Lawrence. He moved to Lake Charles, La. in 1984 with Susan Kelso, to teach at McNeese State University. There, they flourished, mentoring hundreds of students who knew them affectionately as “PD” and “Doc” and growing the Departments of Theatre and Mass Communications. 

In addition to Susan and his work as a professor, notable highlights of Peter’s life include, being one of the founding professors of the Film School at the University of Tel Aviv in Israel; the 1972 Olympics in Munich where he watched his KU student, Jim Ryan, compete in the mile race; being elected President of the American Film Institute; raising a son and twins; and sailing the Intercoastal Waterway from Lake Charles to South Padre Island on his sailboat, Loch Nest, with Susan. He loved golfing and sailing, playing games and solving puzzles (a crossword he wrote was  published in the New York Times), acting in plays and singing in choirs. He was a master bridge player and even played the flute. With his sharp wit, love of language, and great sense of humor, he delighted in jokes and puns. He was an avid football fan and got to assist his Emmy-award-winning cameraman son, David, as he filmed an NFL game from the sidelines. He relished the dozens of glorious experiences he had on film sets. Peter even had a notable stint as the RotoRooter Man on a national television ad. He traveled extensively with Susan including a Caribbean voyage on a tall sailing ship, New Zealand, Galapagos Islands, Cayman Islands, London, Europe, Israel, Hawaii, Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, and dozens of other cities. 

Peter and Susan retired to Horseshoe Bay, Texas in 2017 and then to Austin. He died peacefully at home on Dec. 30, 2024 with belovéd Susan, his dogs, Lil’ Bear and Zorro, and his Kat by his side. He is survived by wife, Susan Kelso; children David Dart (Sarah Woods), Stephanie Dart, Stephen Dart, and Bonnie Cullum (Chad Salvata); grandchildren, Michael Dart, Jessica Russell (Daniel), Livia Gotsman (Evan Questad), and Levi Gotsman (Tatiana Cantu); surviving siblings, Sarah Stone (Gary), Martha Lemon (Don), and Andrew Dart (Debbie); nephews, Robert Dart (Deb Schulz Dart), Bryan Stone (Courtney Bellomy Stone), Kevin Stone (Kyra Ashley Stone), and Travis Dart (Patricia); nieces, Kelly Bowen Priem (Rick) and Della Bowen St. Arnold (Peter). 

He was proud of the successful careers of his descendants.

He was predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Louise (Klem) Dart; his brothers, Robert, Timothy, and John Dart; nephew, Charles Dart, and dogs, Shadow and Pierre.

He was an avid supporter of the arts. Gifts in his honor may be made to his favorite non-profit theatre, The VORTEX in Aus tin. vortexrep.org. 

There will be a celebration of the life of Peter Dart on Feb. 2, 2025 at 2 p.m. at The VORTEX, 2307 Manor Rd. Austin, TX 78722.