He served in the United States Air Force from June 6, 1955 to January 22, 1959. He returned to Grand Island and worked for the Veteran's Hospital until 1965. Robert then moved his family to Fremont where he worked as a Firefighter with the Fremont Fire Dept. for 27 years. Upon his retirement from the fire dept., he was employed by Jayhawk Boxes and Diers Ford.
Robert was a member of Peace Lutheran Church of Fremont.
Survivors: wife - Dana
2 sons - Ron and wife Debbie Arnold of Bury St. Edmunds, England
Mark Arnold of Fremont
1 daughter - Connie and husband Jim Svatora of Fremont
sister - JoAnn and husband Glen Kemper of Grand Island
2 sisters-in-law - Irene and husband Harlan Klein of Grand Island
Cheryl Hansen and the late Ervin Hansen of Crestview, Florida
7 grandchildren - Shana and special friend Kirkie, Keith, Bailey, Ciara and Thomas Arnold,
and Haley and Shelby Svatora.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held at 10 AM Friday (March 20th) in the First United Methodist Church in Fremont with the Rev. Ron Nelson and Rev. Marvin Suhr of Peace Lutheran Church officiating. The committal will follow in Memorial Cemetery. There will be Honors by the Fremont Fire Dept. and Military Honors by the Fremont Honor Guard of American Legion Post 20 and VFW Post 854.
There is no viewing, however the family will be receiving friends at the Ludvigsen Mortuary, Fremont, Thursday evening from 6 to 8 PM. In lieu of flowers, Robert had requested memorials be given to Peace Lutheran Church.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(4)
Luke and Brenda Kohl
North Bend, NE Wednesday, March 18, 2009 thanks Bob for your service to our country and your community.Harvey and Debbie Bunn
Fremont, NE Thursday, March 19, 2009 I haven't kept in touch with Bob over the years, but spent many hours with him when we both worked A-shift with the Fremont Fire Department. Not only did I spend a 24 hour shift with him, I also worked with him on our off days. I saw much more of him that I did my wife. He was a kind, soft-spoken man, and his calm and quiet way made him easy to be with. Dana and their children should be proud of him for all that he was to so many people. Our sincere condolences to his family, our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of loss. Your memories will always keep him alive in your hearts.Scott Dart
GILBERT, AZ Saturday, March 21, 2009 To the family I was sorry to read of your fathers passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. Scott and Vicki DartRon Arnold
RAF Lakenheath, AE Tuesday, March 24, 2009 It has meant so much to our family to know that so many of you shared our loss with us during this most difficult time. We have drawn great comfort from so many individual acts of kindness and respect, and we have been overwhelmed and deeply moved by the extent of the well wishes, food, flowers and memorials contributions from so many of you. Dad meant a lot to so many people, and he touched so many lives in different ways; as a loving and devoted husband, father, mentor, friend, co-worker, ect. He had a genuine zest for life, and a desire to serve mankind through his service to his country, community and fellow man. However no matter how busy he was he could always find time for a chat and a smile. Dad’s zest for living remained with him until the very end, and we know too that his faith was always a great strength to him. We want to thank you all for the support gave us, and will surly continue to give our family as we come to terms with his death and the void he has left in our midst. We thank you also from our hearts for the love you gave him during his life and the honor you now give him in death. May God bless you all. The Robert “Bob” Arnold Family