Arthur Edward Flathers of Winyah Lane in Vineyard Haven died Thursday, April 10, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was 75.

He was the husband of M. Kaye Slutz Flathers and his first wife Lavinia (Sunny) Flathers, who predeceased him in 1994.

Art was born on March 1, 1933 in Fairhaven, a son of George H. and Eleanor T. McDevitt Flathers. He lived in Fairhaven until moving to Vineyard Haven during his high school years and was graduated from Tisbury High School. Art then received his bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston.

Art began his career at General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Tex., and was a pioneer in space exploration. Later he was employed with General Electric in Philadelphia, Pa., for 33 years as a systems analysis manager.

Art was very involved in the Island community. He served on the Rotary Club and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award. He was a member of the Federated Church in Edgartown and served on the Island Charter Commission. He was a Service Corps of Retired Executives counselor, and taught bridge. He also was a member of the MIT Alumni Association.

Survivors include his wife, M. Kaye Flathers of Vineyard Haven; his brother, Charles Flathers and his wife, Sheila, of Vineyard Haven; his stepchildren, Eric Peabody of Austin, Tex., Shelly Petersen of Sioux City, Iowa, Jeff Davis of Des Moines, Iowa, Tim Davis of Lake Elsinore, Calif., and Heather Kraai of Sibley, Iowa; his nieces and nephews, Richard Flathers, Karen Flathers, Scott Flathers and Kathleen Flathers; six stepgrandchildren; and many great nieces and nephews.

His funeral service will be held in the Federated Church, South Summer street, Edgartown on Saturday, April 19 at 2 p.m. The Rev. Jerry Fritz will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, State Road, Vineyard Haven at 4:30 p.m.

Donations may be made in his memory to the Steeple Fund of the Federated Church, P.O. Box 249, Edgartown MA 02539 or to Women Empowered, P.O. Box 1253, Vineyard Haven MA 02568.