Originally from New York state, Art Feather moved his family to Paducah in 1968 after Westvaco selected him to help design and construct its Wickliffe pulp and paper mill. After his beloved wife passed away, it took a year and a half before Art felt comfortable enough to re-enter the social scene. With a little bit of practice, though, he’s become a dating pro. And he’s living proof that a social life can be fun at any age.iList Paducah: Art Feather, you are just cute, cute, cute, no doubt about it. How did you get to Paducah?
AF: We moved here from Westernport, a small town in western Maryland. I was an engineer for Westvaco for about 46 years – 14 years in New York state, seven in Maryland and then 25 at the Wickliffe mill. After a very successful and enjoyable career, I retired in 1994.
IL: And you have six kids! They’ve done really well, haven’t they?
AF: Yes, they have. They all attended WKCTC, which was PJC at the time. All graduated from UK and then received degrees from various graduate schools. Three are electrical engineers and three are chemical engineers. My second son also has a law degree and is presently an Episcopal priest.
IL: How did they all become engineers?
AF: I don’t know. I never encouraged them to do one thing or another. I guess they learned by example. I’ve always had a good relationship with all of them. They’re all married now.
IL: Any grandchildren?
AF: 14! Several have studied overseas for their professions.
She was engaged to another guy the whole time and kept us both going. Finally I said, 'You know, I'm getting older. You have to make a decision on this thing.' So she picked me.IL: Tell us about your wife, Wanda.
AF: She was a wonderful person. We married in 1952 after she graduated from college. She was dedicated to the children and wanted them all to be successful. Wanda was very involved in our kids’ activities but also participated in social, civic and educational functions in every area where we lived. She is well remembered in Paducah. She passed after nearly 52 wonderful years together.
IL: How did you meet?
AF: I spent nearly four years in the Army during World War II with almost two years in Europe. When I came back from the service, all the girls I knew were married. It was difficult to find a date near my age. I frequently attended community dances in the local Polish community where every Saturday night they had a polka dance. I was brought up in the Russian community, so I knew how to polka.
My buddy and I we were walking up to the dance hall and two girls were standing outside. I said, “What are you girls doing out here? The dance is inside!” They said, “We’re deciding whether to go in.” I said, “Come on. I’ll pay your way in.”
One of the girls was Wanda. We had an unbelievable connection. It was so strong and almost like “love at first sight” for both of us. We dated a year and a half. She was engaged to another guy the whole time and kept us both going. Finally I said, “You know, I’m getting older. You have to make a decision on this thing.” So she picked me.
IL: She passed away in 2003?
AF: Sept. 17, 2003. She’d had surgery for carotid artery blockage. We think her death was associated with the surgery.
IL: That must have just been the worst.
AF: It was. I was in a shell for a year and a half. I didn’t do anything but stay home.
... I thought, 'IfIL: What brought you back?
somebody like this is willing to go out with me, others might be too!' So I started dating, and people began fixing me up.
AF: Rex Smith held a fundraiser for Congressman Ed Whitfield, which I attended. While there, I met a very attractive divorced schoolteacher. Her son was there with her. We started talking and I told her about my situation. And she just said, “Give me a call if you feel like doing something – if you want to get out of the house.”
IL: Rock on!
AF: Yeah, that was very nice. And she was considerably younger. So I thought, “If somebody like this is willing to go out with me, others might be too!” So I started dating, and people began fixing me up.
IL: And you go out quite a bit now, don’t you?
AF: Well, yes. I enjoy the companionship. I like to take dates to dinner. Also, I have season tickets to the Market House Theatre and to the WKCTC Focus series. I like the Carson Center. All the restaurants are good here – Whaler’s Catch, di Fratelli, Cynthia’s, Red Lobster, Olive Garden. And I like to barbecue.
IL: Art, you are always in such good spirits. Do you just walk right up and introduce yourself to women? Tell us about the Art of Dating!
AF: Yes, I’ll go up to anyone I find attractive. Sometimes it doesn’t work out so well, though. Just the other day I was getting my tire fixed. There was a nice-looking woman in the waiting area. We started talking and getting along, and then her husband came in!
IL: Art, you gotta look for the wedding ring!
AF: Well, I didn’t think to look. Anyway, the good part was that she fixed me up with her mom. We went out, and it was clear that we weren’t a good match. But it was a fun evening.
The feelings you have for your spouse will always be there. You never forget what you had. But life goes on. You have to put your spouse’s death behind you. We talked about what we would do if the other died first, and we both decided that it would be OK to remarry if the opportunity came up.IL: And obviously you know the importance of looking cute to attract cute. You look great!
AF: I try to stay healthy. I’m careful about my blood pressure. I weigh myself every morning. If I’m ever over 158 pounds, I cut back. I take care of the house and the yard. I mow the grass.
IL: And you keep busy?
AF: Yes. I do a lot of stock market research on the computer. I’m a Rotarian, and I’m on the board of the “Learning for Fun” extended learning group at WKCTC. We host 10 to 12 speakers each six months and take a fun bus trip together. It’s $25 to join, and you can go to as many or as few of the events as you’d like. I also like to travel and attend political events and fundraisers. You meet all sorts of interesting people at those. There are many things to do in Paducah.
IL: What advice would you offer others who’ve lost a spouse? What would you say to inspire them to get back out there?
AF: The feelings you have for your spouse will always be there. You never forget what you had. Wanda and I had a relationship “made in heaven.” We were extremely close to one another, even in our later years. But life goes on. You have to put your spouse’s death behind you. We talked about what we would do if the other died first, and we both decided that it would be OK to remarry if the opportunity came up. Companionship is very important.
IL: We should all want our parents to be happy, even after they’ve lost a spouse. And companionship is important. I love being married.
AF: I loved being married, too.
IL: Then you will be again. You are just too darling not to. Date on, Art Feather!
