Robert Lawrence Arnold

Robert Lawrence Arnold, beloved husband and father, doting grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and best friend to many, passed away on Friday, January 20, 2012. Bob was born on January 1st, 1938 in a small farm house in Edmonds Washington to Joseph and Mary Arnold. He grew up in Edmonds, attended Christ the King school and went on to Edmonds High school. Once finished with high school Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he took his mechanical skills from working on old cars in his youth and applied them to airplanes. He was a Flight Crew Mechanic on the B-36 Peacekeeper from 1956 to 1960. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in California and moved back home to Seattle. It was in late 1963 that Bob met the woman of his dreams, Judy Hecox. Bob and Judy wasted little time before the wedding bells rang, and said their vows in June of 1965. Keeping in time with their courtship the newlyweds had their first baby boy Michael (Mike) in April of 1966, just a year shy from their wedding day. Having their hearts set for a little girl they tried again. In December of 1967 along came another baby boy Richard (Rick). Still wanting a baby girl they kept trying, and in June of 1969 out came Joseph (Joey). In 1969 Bob moved his young family out of their two bedroom house in Mount Lake Terrace, and bought a home in Bothell. The new house in Bothell was just supposed to be for now, but 43 years later what they thought was for now was actually a wonderful home. Luckily for all of us they continued to work towards that baby girl, and in March of 1972 they got their wish when Debbie arrived. The family was now six years old, and six members strong. After several years employed as a truck driver he made a career change and completed training to be a home heating specialist. Eventually he started his own heating repair business. Its no clich that life goes by fast, and with four kids Bob and family were always busy. School, camping, fishing, biking, motorcycle riding, Disneyland, sports, bicycle races, motorcycle races, graduation, some more Disneyland, would occupy his time through twenty plus years. Soon his boys were engaged to be married, and Bob was able to see his kids married off to the people they loved. Rick married Christine Enright in 1990, Joey married Teresa Bulis in 1992, and Mike married Teri Hain in 1996. Debbie took her time. In the spring of 2010, his heart soared when he was able walk his baby girl down the aisle to marry Dutch Jackson. Just when you think a man couldnt be happier or his life sweeter, grandchildren started to show up. After Nathan came to Rick and Kris, Grandpa Bob was the new name throughout the house. Soon Nathan had two little sisters, Shelby and Ashley. Grandpa Bob was elated. There was a bit of a grandchild drought. But Joey and Teresa finally got moving and had Bailey, and about two years later, Delaney. When Debbie married Dutch, Grandpa Bob inherited three more grandchildren: Tonya, Haley and Randi Rae. He welcomed them with open arms and treated them as his own. It was right around 1999 that Bob was effectively told to retire because of injuries sustained at work. The timing turned out to be perfect as it gave him and Judy more time to enjoy their grandchildren and to travel. Bob was the youngest of five children and is preceded in death by his sister Marie Lehmen and brother George Arnold. He is survived by his sister Annette Bronson and his brother Charles Arnold. Bob is loved by family and friends, and will be greatly missed. Announcement: Memorial donations may be made to St. John Vianney Church, 12600 84th Avenue NE, Kirkland, WA 98034