In Memoriam: Arthur P. Shimamura

Professor Arthur (Art) Shimamura passed on October 6, 2020. A founder of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, Art was a talented scientist, an award-winning teacher, and a respected leader. Throughout his career he pursued the highest ideals of science and service, and his highly-cited work has had a profound impact on our understanding of memory, amnesia and brain mechanisms. A Guggenheim Fellow, he explored the relationships between art and cognitive neuroscience in his popular 2013 book, Experiencing Art: In the Brain of the Beholder. In 1994, Art was a member of the Founding Committee of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society. Former society President Michael S. Gazzaniga, who served on the Founding Committee with Art, said: “Art Shimamura was an insightful and generous scientist with an unparalleled sense of the public good. He was an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing him.” Art was open about his years long struggle with cancer, and over the past few years his Facebook posts about his late life adventures in Hawaii were widely enjoyed. During that time he wrote thoughtful works including his 2017 book, Get SMART! Five Steps Toward a Healthy Brain, and his reflective, A Walk Around O’ahu: My Personal Pilgrimage, in 2019. His impact on his colleagues and students at the University of California, Berkeley, in the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, and around the world, is gratefully and warmly remembered. Arthur P. Shimamura was 66. 

Remembrances may be shared, and donations in his memory can be made, on a page at the UC Berkeley Psychology website.