Arthur Louis Schechter

Arthur Louis Schechter
Schechter in 2020
United States Ambassador to the Bahamas
In office
October 29, 1998 – March 1, 2001
PresidentBill Clinton
George W. Bush
Preceded bySid Williams
Succeeded byJ. Richard Blankenship
Personal details
Born(1939-12-06)December 6, 1939
DiedApril 13, 2026(2026-04-13) (aged 86)
PartyDemocratic
SpouseJoyce Proler Schechter
ProfessionDiplomat, Attorney, Philanthropist

Arthur Louis Schechter (December 6, 1939 – April 13, 2026) was an American politician, diplomat, attorney and philanthropist.[1]

Early life

Schechter attended public schools and graduated from Lamar High School in Rosenberg, Texas. In 1958 Schechter graduated from the University of Texas in Plan II Honors Program with a BA in 1962. While there, he was a member of Phi Sigma Delta, the Friar Society, and the Silver Spurs.

He received a JD degree from the University of Texas Law School in 1964. He also subsequently attended the University of Houston for a master's degree in Political Science and Foreign Affairs.

Career

Schechter was a senior partner at Schechter, Shaffer, and Harris based in Houston, Texas.[1] His main practice was admiralty law, and he represented many maritime unions from around the world, including the National Maritime Union and the International Transport Workers' Federation

He was the United States Ambassador to the Bahamas.[2] He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and was appointed by President Bill Clinton on October 29, 1998.[3] After returning, Schechter chaired the Harris County Metropolitan Transit Authority.[4]

Personal life and death

Schechter resided in Houston, Texas, with his wife, Joyce Proler Schechter, whom he married on August 25, 1956. They had two daughters: Leslie Rose Karpas (Hedley) born in 1966, and Jennifer Rose Schechter (Alan, Harris County Constable) born in 1968.

He was a member of the Westwood Country Club and Congregation Beth Israel.

Schechter died on April 13, 2026, at the age of 86.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Houston Personal Injury Lawyer - SMS Legal". SMS Legal. Archived from the original on August 10, 2009. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Biography: Arthur L. Schechter". 1997-2001.state.gov. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Council of American Ambassadors > members > Arthur L. Schechter". September 17, 2010. Archived from the original on September 17, 2010. Retrieved June 28, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ↑ Fleck, Tim (May 9, 2002). "Tales of Rail". Houston Press. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  5. ↑ Arthur Schechter, Houston attorney, former ambassador to the Bahamas and Metro Chairman, dies at 86