Arnold "Lake" Westphal

Arnold Westphal, 102 years and 7 months, of Sun City West, Arizona, left us peacefully on March 4, 2025. A beloved husband, father, uncle and grandfather, Arnold, “Lakin”, “Lake” or “Buddy” will always be remembered for his optimism, generosity, love of sports and the great outdoors.

Born July 26, 1922, in Louisville, Kentucky to Arnold and Anna (Ellmers) Westphal, Arnold was the youngest of three children along with his sister Edith and his brother Henry. As a young boy, he saw nothing unusual about using a ceramic chamber pot, and an outhouse in the chickenyard behind the back porch. Buddy “hitting a ball with some kind of paddle” off a brick wall next to the kitchen door couldn’t know then how important ‘racquetball’ would become to his life!

After graduating from duPont Manual Training High School in 1940, Lakin entered the US Merchant Marine Officers Training Academy in 1943, and in 1946 was honorably discharged as 2nd Mate: third in command, responsible for navigation and watchkeeping, ensuring safe passage of the ship.

On May 11, 1946 Lakin and Rita Juliet Nietche were married in Detroit, Michigan, and after moving to Salem, Oregon, over the next fifteen years their children (Eric, Gary, Kent, David and Susan) were born. Lake co-partnered a retail business in Salem, Vacuum Cleaner Clinic & Sewing Center, and eventually established Westphal Distributing Company, building and selling central vacuum systems. While Lake and Rita would travel the world together, Lake also loved scuba diving, river rafting, tennis, handball, pickleball and racquetball, often taking on the best in the area, winning numerous World Champion racquetball titles with his killshot that could make grown men cry!

Lake dedicated much time to Jr. Chamber of Commerce, SCORE, Yokefellow, Boy Scouts of America, Sun City West Board of Directors and Salem YMCA Board of Directors, with his laugh, smile, free-spirit, and willingness to talk to you at any time; a true giant when it came to making the most out of life!

Lake is survived by five children, three grandchildren, Erich, Emilie and Jordan, niece Suannah (Kraft) Rund, and wife of 42 years, Rhoda “Ann” (Hassell) Westphal, and preceded in death by Rita, his brother Henry, sister Edith, and nephew Ted Kraft.

The family would especially like to thank Solstice Senior Living at Sun City West for their exceptional care and friendship. No services will be held; contributions can be made in Lake Westphal’s name to the Salem YMCA- Camp Greider at https://theyonline.org/camps/ymca-camp-greider.