Obituary: Arthur Shelmandine IV, 1953-2018 

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• Arthur Shelmandine IV

Arthur Ross Shelmandine IV: amazing stay-at-home dad, husband, grandfather, luggage designer, creative genius behind It’s Arthur’s Fault! sauces and marinades, and source of knowledge on countless topics. On May 14, he passed away surrounded by his loving family after 10 days in the ICU following a massive brain bleed caused by an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a rare condition that affects just 1 percent of the population.

Arthur was born in Amsterdam, N.Y., to Marlene Foss and Arthur Shelmandine Jr. He took great pride in his family history and their connections to Vermont during the Revolutionary War, and he chose to build his family and home business in Vermont.

Arthur leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Laurel Burnstine Shelmandine; their two daughters, Marikje and Annalise; Marikje’s husband, Steve Beams, and their daughter, Katherine Laurel; and Annalise’s fiancé, Erik van Eck. He is survived by siblings Paul Shelmandine, Matthew Shelmandine, Karol Spenard and deNise Ellison and their families.

So many friends have written remembrances of Arthur's joyful, compassionate and generous spirit, his fatherly guidance to many young (and not so young) people, and his booming laughter. While we will all miss Arthur, the legacy of the amazing food that he created will continue through his It's Arthur's Fault! business, led by his daughter Marikje and supported by the family.

Thank you to wonder dog Lily, who alerted an employee that Arthur had fallen; to Essex Rescue; and to all the doctors, nurses and staff members at the University of Vermont Medical Center's Surgical ICU.

To honor Arthur, enjoy fantastic food and good company, take time to watch the sunset and look up at the stars, or learn a random fact and share it with as many people as you can. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to North Country Animal League in Morrisville: ncal.com.

The celebration of Arthur’s life will be held on August 25, with details to be posted on the It’s Arthur’s Fault! Facebook page.

Arrangement by Cremation Society of Chittenden County, a division of the Ready Family, at 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington.