Stanley Richard Arnold, Jr. 76, passed away on October 28, 2018 after a long period of declining health. Stan was born on August 31, 1942 in Courter Memorial Hospital in Clinton, Massachusetts, and was initially raised in Bolton, Massachusetts. He was the third of six children of Stanley Richard Arnold, Sr. and Evelyn (Hobby) Arnold. For 55 years until his death, he was the devoted husband of Renate (Kieber) Arnold, who he married on April 24, 1963 in Neckarsulm, Germany.
Stan enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17 as an E-1 Private in September of 1959. He retired from active military service in 1983, having achieved the E-9 rank of Command Sergeant Major, the highest enlisted rank in the Army. He was a proud member of “The Big Red One,” the 1st Infantry Division, and in his early days in the military worked on the Redstone Rocket, a derivation of which carried the first Americans into space. During his 24 years in the Army, he received numerous awards, commendations and citations, including the Bronze Star Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster) for heroic achievement in a combat zone during the Vietnam War.
Stan had a lifelong devotion not only in furthering his own education, but also in encouraging the educational and professional development of others. Pursuing education at night through the benefits provided by the United States Government through the G.I. Bill, Stan obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree from Cameron University in 1975 and his Masters in Business Administration from Plymouth State College in 1982. He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Hampshire Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Stan joined the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration in 1983, and was proud to work with the many honorable and talented persons who have provided service to the State of New Hampshire, not only at the DRA but at all branches of government and levels of service. Beginning as an auditor at DRA, he rose through various positions and was appointed DRA Commissioner in 1988. He served 14 years as Commissioner, providing valuable non-partisan advice to 4 Governors of both political parties. Stan was a national figure in the state tax community as a frequent speaker and lecturer on accounting and tax issues throughout his career. Stan served on three national task forces during his tenure as Commissioner, all of them addressing how to adapt state tax systems to a technology-focused and dynamically changing economy. He served as the President of the Federation of Tax Administrators and the President of the Northeast States Tax Officials Association.
For the final phase of his career, Stan was a Senior Tax Policy Advisor at the Rath, Young and Pignatelli, P.C. law firm from January of 2003 until December of 2014, where he provided valuable client service and enjoyed close relationships with his treasured colleagues. During his time at Rath, Young and Pignatelli, Stan helped found and was the first President of the New England State and Local Tax Forum, a charitable entity dedicated to educating tax professionals on complex state and local tax topics, with an emphasis on improving relations between the private and government sectors. In 2015, the NESLTF created the Stanley R. Arnold, Jr. Scholarship to provide a significant grant to a deserving student enrolled in a qualifying tax program, who demonstrates involvement in or commitment to the state and local tax field.
Stan loved to golf and was a long-time member of Concord Country Club, also serving as CCC’s President. For many years, he was an avid runner and soccer player. He was particularly proud to be involved in the creation and development of the New Hampshire Veteran’s Cemetery in Boscawen, New Hampshire.
In addition to his wife Renate, Stan is survived by two sisters and two brothers, Patricia (Arnold) Angel of Morrison, Colorado, Natalie C. (Arnold) Cofske, of Sinclair, Maine, Rodman E. Arnold and his wife Edda, of South Fulton, Tennessee, and Craig D. Arnold and his wife Cindy, of North Brookfield, Massachusetts. He was predeceased by his brother, Dennis J. Arnold, of Aurora, Colorado. He additionally leaves 20 nephews and nieces and numerous grand-nephews and grand-nieces.
Per Stan’s wishes, no calling hours will be held and services at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery will be private. A celebration of Stan’s life and achievements will be held at a future date. Purely discretionary donations in Stan’s memory can be made out to the New England State and Local Tax Forum, P.O. Box 1500, One Capital Plaza, Concord, New Hampshire 03302 designating the Stanley R. Arnold Jr. Scholarship Fund.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Bennett Funeral Home of Concord. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.BennettFuneral.com for the Arnold family.
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