Arthur L. Sweetman, age 76, of York, died of cancer at 10:30 PM Saturday, November 30, 2024, at his residence. He was the husband of Patricia E. (Spradlin) Sweetman.

Born November 11, 1948, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the son of the late James Sweetman and the late Ellen (Huffman) Brokaw. 

He graduated from Piqua Central High School with honors, University of Maryland suma cum laude and his masters was acquired from University of Southern California. He was in the US Navy for 9 years and in active naval reserves for 6 years. He then continued his profession at the National Security Agency for 35 years.  He retired from the NSA as Deputy Director of IBSSO after 35 years of service.  While at NSA he acquired 2 higher education degrees equal to Master Degrees in normal academia. After retirement, he worked for CSC for 10 years.

The Sweetman family moved to Pennsylvania in 1984 and he became active in the New Freedom Lions club and president of the New Freedom Recreation Council

He was a member of the Penn Coachman RV Club, the Miata Club of York, and the York County History Center.  He was also active with ‘Play Catch with a Dad’, and had previously served as president of the Springdale Neighborhood Association.

In addition to his wife of 56 years, Mr. Sweetman is survived by two daughters, Emily Mebust, and her husband Aaron, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Kate Glattacker, and her husband Todd, of Magnolia, Delaware; his foreign exchange son, Mauricio Ibacache, and his wife Marcello, of Santiago, Chile; seven grandchildren, Phoebe, and her husband Grant, Piper, Jack, Kathryn, Grace, Magdelana, and Vicente; two great grandchildren, Casey and Maeve; a sister, Jo Ellen Weir, of Covington, Ohio; a half-sister, Kelly Brokaw, of Pocatello, Idaho; a half-brother, James Brokaw, II, of Morrow, Ohio; numerous nieces and nephews and close family friend, John Piermatteo.

He always believed you could learn anything from a book.  He learned how to and repaired a 1968 Volkswagen van for many years until it had over 250,00 miles and then he gave it to someone needing transportation. When he and Pat were not travelling, he renovated a two-hundred-year-old farm house that wasn’t even good enough to be a “handy man’s special”. It eventually became Stone Haus Farm with sheep and goats and alpacas, llamas, chickens, grandkids and friends.  By himself he built a lambing barn, a play yard for the grandkids and an herb shop.  He is remembered by his grandchildren for always reminding them how much he loved them, enjoyed their presence and how proud he was of them.  Nothing made him happier than being with his family.  He will be greatly missed.

A memorial reception will be held from 2:00-4:00 PM Sunday, December 22, 2024, at Kuhner Associates Funeral Directors, Inc., 863 South George Street, York.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cancer Patient Help Fund, 2500 South George Street, York, PA 17403.