Arthur Rivers Obituary

It's been many years since Art passed, but I was just going through my contacts and Googled his name and saw the news. I worked with Art when I was a young tv producer for MTV-- we were doing a cliff diving episode for "Road Rules," and I found Art. I had to go to Hawaii to jump off the cliff, and Art took me to the 80', 60', 45', and 25' ledges. I only had the guys to go from 25 feet! Art was great to work with... I didn't know him well, but so sorry to hear of his passing.

My wife and I saw Art 25 years ago during out honeymoon. Today is our anniversary and we googled him and are sad to learn of his passing. He will always bring wonderful memories.

Art was a good friend of mine. We use to hang out together at the Columbia Jewish Center and swim and dive. He was not Jewish but the pool was close to his home. We were friends at SVHS too. I'm the one who introduced him to the cliffs at Green Hole and the Lake Murray Dam where he perfected his high dive. We will all miss you Art.
Jay (King) Koenig

Way too soon...
I will remember the guy as a soft & comforting ocean breeze.

We, all the people that use to know Art, knew thar it was a privilege.

Mahalo my friend

Clark, Jan & Grier, I'm so sorry to hear of Art's passing, and for Blair also. Please know you are all in my prayers. Love Always, Tonya Seel Marshall & Family

I was shocked to hear of his passing. It was a pleasure to have met a great guy and he was so gifted in the art of diving. Our condolences go out to Shantell and the Rivers Ohana. He will be missed.

I love and miss you so much Dad. Words can't express how thankful I am that everything you've ever done. I truly have the best Dad in the world.

The world has lost a truly gently soul. Rest in Peace

Art was a beautiful soul and will be terribly missed... May God bless you and your family.

Such a loss for this world. Our hearts and Prayers pour out.

To Jan and Grier, we are so very sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family...

This picture really reflects the Art Rivers I knew: Positive, Happy and Fun to be with. Somebody commented that he was a beautiful person- I think that says it all. I am appreciative that our paths crossed in life and offer his family my sincere condolences.

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family during this time.

Although Art and I had not yet met, we knew OF each other because of our mutual involvement in the diving and stunt business. When we finally met while I was doing a high diving show at Sea Life Park in Oahu it was almost like we knew each other for years - we were THAT comfortable with each other from the start. He came to see our show (same producer for his and mine) and we enjoyed our time together. I am SO saddened by his passing that I still can't fully believe it. To his family; Our whole diving and stunt community will feel this loss for a very long time. Art was one of the nicest and most gracious people I had EVER met. HE WILL BE REMEMBERED AND MISSED.

My first, and enduring vision of Art, was on a warm, sunny, and quite breezy day in Florida as I left the UCF college pool. I heard the distinct sound of diving board meeting fulcrum, and so turned my head to witness Art moving gracefully through the air. With his characteristically pointed toes, and perfect body alignment Art entered the water with barely a ripple. Stopped in my tracks, despite a pressing schedule of college classes, and shows at Sea World, I felt compelled to watch Art dive. Relentlessly, and with near rapid fire succession his repertoire of dives unfolded before me, and I was compelled to stay for the entire show. Afterwards, I was anxious to meet Art, introduce myself, and introduce Art to the world of professional diving. Now some three decades later I'm reminded of how short life is, and how blessed we all are to have known and shared his spirit, even if only briefly. My prayers go out to his family and friends.

I thank you so much for allowing my heartfelt sympathy to be viewed. As I read it again, I realized I didn't finish spelling his grandmothers name~ Ganda. Again my prayers to you all. Thank you.

We will remember Action Art Rivers as a uniquely beautiful man, genuinely friendly, energetic, sometimes soft spoken, but with a wild side. Doing crazy dive shows so long ago were never boring with him....he always worked hard, but was fun to be around.......Mahalo friend, and Aloha

Oh my goodness I can't believe this?? My dear friend Art who in my heart was a brother to me and I a sister to him. We had disconnected over the years but whenever the rare occasion would come up and we would run into each other, we would embrace with love because we shared such fond memories of our friendship together. I extend my deepest sympathy to his daughter and family. I had the pleasure of meeting some of his family many man years ago and I remember them well. His mother, Jan, his brother, Blair and grandma, Ga. I am also just learning of Blair, his brother's, passing? I am saddened by all this and my prayers go out to all of you.

Thank you for adding a touch of class to a relentless business (film). You were a breath of beautiful fresh North Shore air... You will be missed friend...

My condolences go out to Shantel and The Rivers Ohana. He was a wonderful friend and gifted as a diver. He was always so fun and happy to be around. He will be missed. We are still shocked of his passing. May the lord comfort you Shantel and the Rivers Ohana.

As you know Shantell, we all loved Art so much and while we will miss him dearly, we will always have him in our hearts and be thankful for the time that we did have with him....Marty

So sorry at the loss of Art. We love you all

Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy. - Author Unknown

To the Rivers Family in South Carolina and to Shantell in Hawaii,
I also knew Art from high school at Spring Valley. He always had such a kindness about him, and could put anyone at ease. I am truly saddened at his unexpected death at such a young age, as everyone is. I know his spirit is looking down on Shantell, and all of you as his faith and goodness will continue to shine always. I am truly honored and blessed to have known Art and been able to share some of my thoughts and life with him.
my prayers and heartfelt thoughts to all of you.

Jan,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your son, Art. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

To Mrs. Rivers and the South Carolina family, I'm grateful that I met Art in elementary school because those days provide the fondest childhood memories of my childhood. I will remember his kindness, academic smarts and Yoda-esque wisdom. I was so delighted to have reconnected with him via Facebook when I started the Spring Valley '70s alumni group, and, like others in the group, am saddened by his unexpected passing. To Shantell, malama pono.. as your dad always closed his emails to me. Let us know if visit South Carolina. Art, you will be missed. Aloha Oe.