Robert Neil Arnold

Passed Away on April 23, 2014

Robert Neil Arnold, 69 of Mesa, AZ passed away on April 23rd, 2014. He was born in Los Angeles, CA on February 1, 1945 to Donald and Murriel (Mickie) Arnold, but his hometown was Lynwood, CA. where he lived out the first twenty years of his life. He served the city well by working with young people at the community center and parks and recreation department. He began his career in law enforcement in Costa Mesa, CA before moving his family to Dinuba, CA where he earned an AA degree from College of the Sequoias, Visalia, CA and a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Fresno. After a long career as a civil servant working as a police officer, police captain, recreation department director, school board member and community leader he retired in 2006. For a number of years he officiated high school sports as a referee for football and basketball games. He had a lifelong desire to make a positive influence on the youth of America. He was preceded in death by his mother Mickie. He is survived by his father Don, 90, of Klamath Falls, OR; his daughter Stacy Anderson, her husband Craig of Visalia, CA and their daughter Katie of Santa Barbara, CA; his son Robert Scott Arnold, his wife Diana and their son Justin of Woodburn OR; his brother Dan Arnold and his wife Cindy, their children Sean, Geoff, James and Becca of Depoe Bay OR.; His sister Peggy Cossairt and her husband Wayne of Grass Valley CA, their children, Rojean, Patric, LeAnne, Darrick, Mike, Andrew and Scott, along with many great nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his fiancé of two years Judi Gerstenfeld, whom he reconnected with, after 50 years, from his high school days in Lynwood. His favorite pastimes included watching baseball and football and going to the games. As a novice poker play in 2006 he played Texas Holde-em in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas and finished 29th in a field of over 6000 entrants. He enjoyed playing Bingo and Mexican Train with his many new friends at the American Legion, working in his garden, wood working projects and lounging in his hot tub. He loved to travel and take road trips with Judi and his two miniature schnauzers, Jake and Sierra. He will be deeply missed by all. A celebration of his life will be held in the near future with the date to be announced.