Daily Sitka Sentinel

David Roy Arnold

Longtime Sitkan David Roy Arnold passed away on Oct. 12, after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 64.

Dave was a great man with a great big personality, who didn’t do anything by halves. His smiles were huge and frequent, his laughter always from the belly, his honesty blunt and clear, his love for his wife, daughters, grandchildren and friends passionate and powerful.

He was a man of strong opinions and principles, but he was also a man of kindness and respect. In his own way, he was as generous with his heart as he was with his wealth of knowledge.

Above all, Dave was completely, uncompromisingly himself, in a way few people have the courage to be.

Dave was born in Santa Cruz, Calif.,   July 23, 1951. When he was a senior in high school, he met Judy Nelson, the woman who would become his wife. After graduation, he joined the Air Force, served for four years, and attained the rank of sergeant. His time in the military brought him to Alaska and re-introduced him to Judy.

He returned to California in 1972, and married Judy a year later. Their family was joined by daughter Juliet in 1983 and Erin in 1985. Ten years later, Dave moved his family to Sitka,  fulfilling his dream of returning to Alaska.

An electrician by trade, Dave was a Renaissance man who could do just about anything he put his fiercely intelligent mind to. He was actively involved with the Sitka Fire Department, serving his community as a firefighter, High Ropes Rescue, and Search and Rescue team member.

He was part of the Baranof Theater Guild, playing the role of a performer, technician, and director; was a member of the Community Band; and was a 1st lieutenant commander in the Civil Air Patrol Squadron.

In his free time, he was a scuba diver, skier, horseback rider, pilot, model- train enthusiast, and biker. He loved to adventure, and spent his final summer traveling the country on his beloved motorcycle.

Dave is survived by Judy, his wife of 41 years, of Sitka; daughter Juliet Rowlett, her husband Micky and children Melvin and Kestra of Coos Bay, Ore.; daughter Erin Wamsley and her husband Aaron of Sitka; sister Norine Arnold of Aptos, Calif.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.

A memorial will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Mt. Verstovia Masonic Lodge (above Car Quest at Halibut Point Road and Erler Street, across from ALPS credit union).

A potluck will follow the service, and those attending are welcome to bring pies and other food.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to The American Cancer Society, Attn: Relay for Life Sitka, 3851 Piper Street, Suite u240, Anchorage, AK 99508; the Sitka Cancer Survivors Society, Box 1624, Sitka; or the Sitka Fire Department, 209 Lake St.