Arnold, Don Woodrow 1914-1992

ARNOLD, PALMER, OTTO, CARPENTER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 8/31/2009 at 09:24:35

Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; October 1, 1992

DON ARNOLD

Don Woodrow Arnold, 78, of DeKalb, Ill., a native of Grinnell, died Saturday, Sept. 26, at Oak Crest Health Care Center in DeKalb.

A memorial service was conducted Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in Sycamore, Ill., with the Rev. Kirk Reed officiating. The body has been cremated.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association and the Good Samaritan Fund at Oak Crest Retirement Center.

The son of David Martin and Nellie Palmer Arnold, he was born Jan. 18, 1914, in Grinnell. He attended public schools and graduated with a B.A. from Grinnell College in 1937. He earned both M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Iowa.

He was married to Marian Otto Dec. 27, 1938, in Osage.

Dr. Arnold's professional career was devoted to education. He worked in K-12 schools, as assistant supervisor of vocational education in Springfield, Ill., and three years with the University of Illinois at Galesburg. He headed the business department at Elgin High School from 1949 until 1957 and was instrumental in establishing Elgin Community College. He came to Northern Illinois University in 1956 and assumed teaching, research and administrative roles in the business and marketing department until his retirement in 1975.

Dr. Arnold volunteered with the American Heart Association, serving as president of the local organization after his retirement. He received the Biss Award for his volunteer contributions to the American Lung Association. He also served on the Handicapped Commission for DeKalb, and he and his wife participated in the original planning and development of the Oak Crest Retirement Center.

Surviving are two sons, Frederick of Madison, Wis., and Stephen of St. Charles, Ill.; one daughter, Gretchen Carpenter of Oregon, Ill.; seven grandchildren and one sister, Carolyn Arnold of Atlanta, Ga. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister.