Arnold Rupert Kegel

“Always give back, save 10%, and leave things better than you found them.” These are words Arnie lived by his entire life. Sadly, he passed away from Parkinson’s on August 25, 2015 at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, WA. He was born August 30, 1934 in Mt. Vernon, WA and died 5 days short of his 81st birthday. His parents were Harry William and Alice Marian (Rumsey) Kegel.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, Marta, of 61 years and his 3 daughters: Lori Ellis and her daughter, Kelsey; Kristi Pembroke and her sons, Tom and Rick; Amy (Gene) Griffin and their sons, David (Sierra), Brenton, and Parker along with 2 great-grandchildren, Aurora and Davin. He is also survived by his sister, Janet (Russell) Brown and his brother, Fred (Barbara) Kegel as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Arnold’s early years were spent in Anacortes near his maternal grandparents, James and Nellie Rumsey. In 1939, the family moved to Bremerton where he spent his growing up years. When he was 6 years old, his dad took him out of school to watch the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse (fondly referred to as “Galloping Gertie).” He started working at a young age with a paper route. After receiving his driver’s license, he drove truck for his Anacortes grandpa and also helped his Colville uncle with haying in the summers. Many lifelong friendships were developed with his classmates as they shared unique experiences living in a Navy town during World War II. They all remember rationing, air raid drills, and barrage balloons in the school playground. At Bremerton High, he participated in track and football and served as Senior Class President, graduating in 1952.

In the fall, along with many Bremerton classmates, Arnie headed for Washington State College (WSC) in Pullman. Early on, he was introduced to his future wife, Marta Fagnastol, by a former classmate of his who was living in her dorm. They were married on August 21, 1954 in Seattle, WA. They then headed back to Pullman for Arnie to finish school. They didn’t have a job or a place to live, but knew it would work out! It was a struggle both financially and academically for the next 5 years. During that time, their first two daughters were born. Marta worked full-time and Arnie did odd jobs on the

weekends and during the summers (including shearing sheep, masonry work, driving cat and carpentering). In 1956, he took a 1 ½ year break from studies to supplement the family income and save for his remaining semesters of school. During that time, he worked at Albrook Hydraulics Test Laboratory, a Division of Industrial Research, on campus. Finally, in 1959, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering. He was in the last graduating class of WSC which then changed to WSU. Arnie placed a high value on his diploma as it opened the doors to all his future employment.

The Engineering Division of Modern Home Builders in Lynnwood was Arnie’s first professional job working as the Supervisor of the Soil and Water Section. In 1961, he became the Principal Engineer for W.E. Crane & Assoc. in Everett. He also worked for Ruskin Fisher & Assoc. as their Principal Engineer beginning in 1966. There he was closely involved in the development of Ocean Shores and Crooked River Ranch in Central Oregon for the MacPherson Group.

When the economic down turn came in 1973, Arnie started Kegel & Assoc. Engineering and Land Surveying on Evergreen Way in Everett. For the next 30 years, he and his team were responsible for thousands of projects in the area. In Arnie’s later work years, he became interested in recycling railroad flatbed cars to replace worn bridges and also build new ones. He successfully completed many of these projects in parks, over streams and on golf courses.

In his work, he participated on many committees and boards including serving as State President of the Washington Council of Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors and as a WSU Foundation Trustee.

After his retirement, in keeping with his interest in education, Arnie co-founded the Bremerton School Foundation where he served as treasurer for 8 years until his health began to decline. He was proud of the scholarships and teacher grants the foundation was able to offer.

Arnie had a very full life. He loved his work and his family and made time for both. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. We will all treasure memories of our camping adventures in Canada in the summers, trips to Ocean Shores, apple pressing in the fall and family reunions at the Colville Ranch where his German paternal grandparents, Albert and Bertha Kegel, homesteaded in 1905.

Arnie was an avid reader and had many interests including genealogy, model railroading, survey instruments, Native American Indian History, wine making and moose hunting. However, he was happiest at his home of 53 years (he and the family started moving in Oct. 12, 1962, the night of the Columbus Day Storm). There he worked outside planting hundreds of rhododendrons, chopped wood, designed landscaping and maintained all of it together with Marta by his side. Although he kept busy, he always had time for a nap!

We would like to thank the nurses and the special caregivers at Brookdale Silver Lake for their kindness, patience, and friendship. They have been like a second family to us these past two years.

A private graveside service was held September 12, 2015 at Floral Hills. A celebration of his life will follow in the summer.

We will miss his big heart, many stories, and twinkly eyes. Arnie made everything a little better and in his honor, consider giving back where you see a need. That’s what he would do!