Arthur J. Cathcart; Wrote Palo Alto’s City Charter

Arthur J. Cathcart, 79, who wrote Palo Alto’s City Charter and served many years as general counsel of Baker International Corp., now known as Baker Hughes. Cathcart earned his bachelor’s and law degrees from Stanford University. He practiced law in Los Angeles briefly before joining the Office of Price Administration in San Francisco during World War II. Returning to his native Palo Alto, he served on its City Council from 1949 to 1952. In 1957, he moved to Los Angeles, where he practiced law and later joined Baker. On Friday in Pasadena after a long illness.