MYSTIC: William VanAntwerp Abt (Bill Abt) passed away on May 9, 2023 at The Elms Retirement Home in Westerly, Rhode Island.
He was born on January 30, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois and spent his young life in White Plains, New York.
Bill earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hobart College, majoring in English Literature and Music. After graduating, he became a naval officer and served in Korean waters during wartime. Before he was sent to Korea, he met and married a fellow naval officer, Agnes F. Acerra, LTJG in Newport, Rhode Island where she served at the Newport Naval Base. Following his wartime service, he earned an MBA from Cornell University. He continued his military service as a Lt. Commander in the Navy Reserves.
In subsequent years, he worked for the federal government and was responsible for final budget review. His first assignment was with the Atomic Energy Commission in Gaithersburg, MD, where he was responsible for final budget review of all US atomic weapons testing activities, both above and below ground. Later, he reviewed the budget of all atomic weapons laboratory research and development. He left the AEC and went to work for the Department of Transportation where he served as the Assistant Director for the Administration of the Coast Guard Research and Development Center in Groton, CT for its initial four years. Finally, he returned to Washington, DC to address various budget review responsibilities for the U.S. Secretary of Transportation including the entire budget for the FAA.
Following his first heart attack at an early age of 47, Bill left the stress of reporting to Capitol Hill behind and returned to Mystic, where he lived for the past 45 years. While in Washington, Bill acquired an interest in art, and took up brush and oil painting, studying with various artists and even improving his skill by painting reproductions of the old masters on-site at the National Gallery of Art. He continued his passion for painting by studying under Robert Brackman at the Lyme Academy. He also worked with local artists including Chris Zhang, Lois Constantine, Susan Scala, and Sara Lucas at the old Mystic Arts Center. His paintings have been shown and sold at the Mystic Arts Center, the Mystic Seaport Gallery, Studio 33, the Noank Historical Society, and the Finer Line Gallery. His work is displayed in many homes and offices throughout the U.S.
He not only painted, but for twenty two years he subcontracted his talents as a ship model restoration specialist to the Mystic Seaport, both directing and performing that work for hundreds of clients. Lastly, he returned to his first love as a bibliophile by collecting and selling out-of-print nautical books. He became a respected dealer of those books all over the world.
Three years after his beloved Aggie died, he married Dorothy R. Eames and they lived happily together at his home in Mystic until she passed away in November 2020.
He is survived by his sister Barbara Hickling, his daughter Dorothy S. Adams(David Ward), his son Henry E. Abt II(Janet Abt), his grandchildren Holly Mangan, Nicholas Abt, Jamie Mangan, and Austin Abt and lastly, his four great-grandsons and four great-granddaughters.
A funeral is planned for late August 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Salt Marsh Opera, treasured by Bill, located in Stonington, CT.