Known variously as a meteorologist, geologist, astronomer, physicist, oceanographer and teacher. Von Arx worked at WHOI from 1945-1978. He also served as a professor of oceanography at MIT from 1959 onward. Von Arx spent his early years at WHOI working on war-related grants and contracts and ocean dynamics. Von Arx's principal scientific interests included the primary circulation of oceans and atmosphere, heat and balance of the earth, and physical geodesy of ocean areas. His corresponence from the mid-to-late 1950s reflects his work and involvement with other scientists. He died in 1999.