Mr. Dennis James Arnst

Dennis Arnst was born on January 29, 1946, and grew up in Sheboygan, Wisconsin near Lake Michigan. He attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison, then attended Ohio State, where he earned a PhD in audiology. He then taught audiology at the University of Rhode Island, and then later at both Fresno State and San Jose State.

He moved to San Francisco to accept a position at the Veteran’s hospital, which started his devotion to helping veterans. He later continued his work with veterans at the Fresno VA, often taking his own time to write letters to assist veterans in receiving benefits they deserved, or to help them navigate through the VA system.

His professional accomplishments were many and included the publishing of multiple research studies and their presentation at conferences across the country. Additionally, he co-authored two books, served as the president of audiology, private practice association, serve served on the Board of Directors of the California Speech and Hearing Association, and served on the legislative council for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Through his private practice in Fresno and Tulare, and through additional organizations, he helped people with hearing loss live better lives.

A number of years ago, he became interested in studying and teaching leadership. He became a certified John Maxwell Leadership coach and led several leadership groups in Fresno. Because of his deep interest in leadership training, he developed a group of pastors and community leaders who worked to make a difference in their neighborhoods. About the same time, he developed a passion for helping men grow their faith and become better husbands, fathers, and community members. He devoted a great deal of energy to assisting men, through his church and through his leadership groups.

Dennis loved to take family trips to the mountains and the ocean. He loved camping, he hiked most of the trails of the high country in Yosemite and was an avid cross-country skier in his younger years. He was known to drop a fishing line in a lake or stream with his son, daughter, or brother-in-law, but never worried about whether any fish were actually caught. He always said the best part of these activities was spending time with family and friends.

Dennis became a Christian as a teenager and had a strong recommitment to God after he started his own family. He believed strongly that the foundation for a happy life was to trust God with every aspect of your life and to honor God at all times. He lived a life devoted to helping others. Above all else, Dennis loved God and his family.

He is survived by his wife, Charlene, his daughter, Chelsea, and son-in-law, Mike McAllister, his son, Christopher Arnst, grandchildren, Ethan, Alex, and Megan, and his sister Terrill Arnst. He is also survived by many extended family members who loved him deeply.