Arthur Lengacher, 98, formerly of Kinzers, died Monday, December 21, 2015 at Garden Spot Village, New Holland.

Born in Krukovo, Russia, October 24, 1917, he was the son of the late Wilhelm and Margarethe Loesner Lengacher. He was married 57 years to the love of his life Martha Lengacher, who died September 4, 2002. He is survived by his three daughters, Edith, wife of David Duckworth of East Petersburg; Astrid, wife of Dr. Michael Ross, Denver, Colorado; and Heidi, wife of Dr. Michael Cohen of Lititz; a son, Arthur Jr., husband of Anne Weaver Lengacher of Gordonville; six grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brothers, Wilhelm and Alfred, and two sisters, Grete and Hanni.

Arthur and his wife operated Lengacher's Swiss Cheese House, Kinzers, from 1955 until they retired in 1996.

Arthur had been a member of Bellevue Presbyterian Church since 1956. He was a member of the Christiana Lodge No. 417 Free and Accepted Masons of Pa., the Rajah Shrine of Reading, the Gap Lion's Club, and the Lancaster Ski Club. He served on the school board of Pequea Valley School District. He was fluent in 5 languages.

He graduated from Agricultural Science School in Switzerland.

At the age of 4, Arthur and his family were able to escape from his homeland of Russia, during the Bolshevik Revolution and emigrate to Grenchen, Switzerland. He grew up on a mountain farm and worked very hard as a lumberjack. He grew up on skis and competed and won many medals as a young man in down-hill skiing, slalom, cross country skiing and ski jumping. He enjoyed helicopter skiing to the Bugaboos, British Columbia, and competed in the NASTAR Finals in Steamboat Springs, CO in 1988 and finished second in the 70 and over age group. He was an avid sports fan of Philadelphia 76er's, Phillies and Eagles.

He met his beloved Martha during his service in the Swiss Army Ski Patrol during WWII. After the birth of their 3 oldest children, Arthur wanted a better life for his children, and being a courageous man, he emigrated once again to America in 1952, not knowing one word of English and having only a few dollars to his name. He was in search of the American dream and he was willing to work very hard to achieve it. After 6 months of saving every penny, he sent for his wife and 3 children to join him and he purchased a Swiss Cheese Factory in 1955 in Kinzers, PA. Their fourth child was born in America.

Arthur and Martha traveled the world together until Martha's death in 2002. Arthur was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He was kind, honest, generous, and respectful. He taught his children the meaning of hard work and to live their lives by following the Golden Rule. He will be dearly missed by his children.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Garden Spot Village for their professional and kind care that they gave to Arthur during his stay in Personal and Skilled Care.

A private memorial service will be held by the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Arthur's memory to the charity of your choice.