Charles Edward Arndt was born on October 10, 1928 to the Rev. Arthur and Cornelia Arndt in Harlingen, Texas. He was one of seven children born to this union. On October 28, 1928, Charles became a child of the Heavenly Father through the washing of Holy Baptism with his earthly father, the Rev. Arthur Arndt, performing the sacrament. To give witness to his faith, Charles was confirmed on July 11, 1943 through the rite of Confirmation at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wharton, Texas by his father, the Rev. Arthur Arndt. Chosen especially for Charles on this auspicious day was the Bible verse Proverbs 23:26:
My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
Charles attended schools in Wharton, Texas where he graduated from Wharton High School. He continued his studies at Wharton Junior College before entering the U.S. Navy in 1948 where he obtained the rank of Third Class Petty Officer, Aviation Technician. It was during his Navy career that he received specialized training in the field of electronics. This additional training proved quite useful throughout his life as he became the “go to guy” for virtually any electronic problem that could be conjured up by the members of his family. After returning from the Navy, Charles resumed his studies in Civil Engineering at the University of Texas in Austin. Using his skills in the field of Hydrology, Charles began a career with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that lasted 33 years. Upon retirement from the Bureau, he continued his professional career by going to work in the “Water Division” of the Lower Colorado River Authority. Many aspects concerning the management of the Colorado River still today are being influenced by when Charles worked at the L.C.R.A.
While stationed in the Navy at Providence, Rhode Island, Charles met and fell in love with Ernestine Dahn. They were married on Christmas Day of 1952 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Webster, MA. with Rev, Melvin H. Hering officiating.
Immediately after their wedding, Charles moved his bride to Texas so that he could continue his studies and to begin a family. Taking to heart God’s instruction of being fruitful and multiplying, Charles and Ernestine conceived and gave birth to five beautiful daughters.
At the very core of Charles’ life was his faith in God as his Lord and Savior. Being reared in a Christian home, Charles lived his faith each and every day of his life. During his marriage to Ernestine, their family actively worshiped and participated at Trinity Lutheran Church in both Austin and Amarillo, were founding members of Hope Lutheran Church in Austin, and finally for many years they called Bethany Lutheran of Austin their church family. It has been said of Charles recently that “he was one in a million” and “that he left this world a better place”. While we know in our hearts this to be true, Charles would be the first to point out that he was in fact just a simple man, a sinner with many faults, but one redeemed through the life giving blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Celebrating the life of Charles Arndt are his survivors including daughter, Jayne Heckmann of Dripping Spring, TX, daughter Kathy and son-in-law Walt Arnold of Lexington, SC, daughter Paula and son-in-law David Luckemeyer of New Braunfels, TX, daughter Diane and son-in-law Bruce McCamant of Fort Worth, TX, and daughter Sarah and son-in-law Shawn White of Chesapeake, VA. Surviving grandchildren include Jeff Arnold, Scott Arnold and wife Christiana, Chris Arnold, Emily Konkle and husband Joshua, Rachel Ellis and husband Clay, Amanda Vasek and husband David, Nicholas Arnold, Kate Luckemeyer, Aaron McCamant, Ashley Arnold, Matthew Heckmann, Blake Arnold, Emma Luckemeyer, Abigail McCamant, Ethan McCamant, Samuel White, Caroline White, Grace McCamant, and Zachary White. Great-grandchildren include: Alek Vasek, Noah Konkle, Everett Arnold, Lilia Vasek, and Alice Arnold. Remaining siblings of Charles include: sister, Margaret Boerger, brother, Arthur Arndt, sister, Mary Beth Chapman and husband Bill, brother, James Arndt and wife Joyce, and brother, Bill Arndt and wife Annabeth. And finally there are numerous other family members including nieces and nephews as well as an entire host of special friends and neighbors that meant so much to Charles.
Being called home to Heaven, Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Ernestine Arndt, son-in-law Glenn Heckmann, parents Arthur and Cornelia Arndt, and sister Lois Halverson.
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