Earl Arthur Greeno

Earl Arthur (Art) Greeno passed away at home on Tuesday, April 14, in Arroyo Seco, NM. Art, a well known and much loved Taoseno, was born on June 26, 1940 in Laramie, WY to Frank and Edith Greeno. He attended high school at University Prep in Laramie, where he played basketball. Art earned a B.S. in Chemistry and a commission with the ROTC at the University of Wyoming.

After finishing a masters degree in organic chemistry at the University of Washington in Seattle, Art was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Trained in artillery, and promoted to Captain he served in Korea during 1967-1968 with the 7th Infantry Division. He was honorably discharged from the service in May of 1968. Art then returned to Seattle and entered the PhD program in organic chemistry at the University of Washington.

An art and music lover, entrepreneur, craftsman, restaurateur, and wine expert, Arts career spanned a variety of interests and pursuits. His passion for woodworking led him to found a picture frame molding company in Boulder, CO and later to work as a professional picture framer in La Connor, WA and Taos, NM. Art and his wife Ginny, owned the Apple Tree Restaurant in Taos, NM for many years. Arts wine expertise brought the acclaimed restaurant several Wine Spectator Awards. Before retiring, Art was a well respected wine salesman in Northern NM.

Art first came to Taos, NM as a student of Kobun Chino Otagawa Roshi, founder of Hokoji {Phoenix Light Temple} Zendo. Art and Ginny became the caretakers of the Zendo after Art retired in 2006. Kobuns teachings of trust ourselves supported Arts confident, compassionate and caring nature that made him so accessible and loved in the community.

Art was an active member of Poets House Trust, a foundation dedicated to preserving the works of his dear friend Robert Sund, a Washington state poet and painter. In 2007 Art was instrumental in publishing a book of collected poems and paintings of Roberts entitled Taos Mountain.

Arts life and legacy is most represented by his relationship with his family. Art and his wife Ginny were a dynamic couple, pooling their shared strengths and insights into their mutual business ventures, raising two successful daughters, and working side by side in many local community causes. Besides his wife, Art is survived by his daughter Eowyn Greeno and husband Greg Gardner of Belmont, MA, daughter Margaret Greeno of Seattle, WA, sister Karla Davis of Laramie, WY, many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and their extended families.

Memorial service was held on Friday, April 17, 2009 at the Quail Ridge Inn.
A memorial fund has been established in Arts name to support Hokoji Zendo. Donations may be sent to: Hokoji, P.O. Box 248, Arroyo Seco, NM 87514 or visit http://hokojitaos.org/index.php?page=giving to donate on-line.