Bruce Van Horn Arnold

Bruce Van Horn Arnold was born on Easter Sunday, April 23, 1916, in Seattle, the firstborn of five children to Gladys Van Horn Arnold and Claude Arnold.

He spent his childhood on Bainbridge Island. After graduating from high school, he commuted by ferry to Seattle for a year attending business college. The family moved to Spokane and Bruce enrolled in Washington State College in Pullman, graduating in 1940. He was then employed in personnel positions in federal-sponsored labor camps.

He served in the Army in World War II from January 1942 to December 1945. While in the Army, he married Lillian Frost. They divorced after the birth of two daughters. After working for the Bureau of Federal Supply in Seattle, he became personnel officer for the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital, where he was employed for 24 years.

He married Norma Russell in 1951. In a few years, Bruce’s daughters joined their father. Eight years later, son, Paul joined the family. Two years before retirement, Bruce was transferred to the Navajo Indian Reservation at Window Rock, Ariz., where he worked in personnel management. After retirement, he moved to Salem, Ore., where he did senior outreach and also home security work for the Salem Public Department.

He enjoyed gardening, swimming, fishing and especially beach walks. While in Seattle, he served as president of the Northwest Personnel Association and for many years on the board of directors of the Federal Employees Credit Union.

Bruce was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and had served on the vestry of several Episcopal churches. He was an honorary lifetime member of NARFE Chapter 0237 and a member of American Legion Post 0032.

Bruce was predeceased by brothers, Stuart and Gordon; sister, Barbara Kinder. He is survived by wife, Norma of 64 years; sister, Kathleen (Robert) Stauffer; step-sister, Karen (Robert) Coon; daughter, Marcia Arnold; grandchildren, Dr. Christinia DeWitt, Dr. David (Mary) Mireles; great-grandchildren, Ashley and Trevor; granddaughter, Teresa (Fred) Hough; great-grandchildren, Marcus and Juliet; daughter, Pamela (John) Alcantra; Bruce and Norma’s son, Paul (Wanda); granddaughter, Amanda (Jeremy) Westphal; grandson, Bryan.

The memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in the Chapel at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Christian Aid Center or a charity of your choice through Herring Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla WA 99362.