Richard Jerome Arnold

Richard Jerome Arnold, known affectionately as Dick, passed away on August 26, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana, from natural causes at the age of 78. Born on September 16, 1947, in Martinsville, Indiana, he lived a life defined by constancy, quiet strength, curiosity, and a deep commitment to the people and pursuits that mattered most to him.

Dick was the beloved husband of Joan Arnold and a devoted father to Chad Arnold, Colby (Bridget) Arnold, Sean Haefeli, and Anthony (Heather) Arnold. He was also the father of Robert Todd, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his brother, Alan Arnold; his sister, Wendy Rowe; seven grandchildren (Caleb Arnold, Bayley Arnold, Colton Arnold, Bodey Arnold, Makayla Gibbs, Olivia Arnold, and Preston Arnold); and numerous nieces and nephews. Family was at the center of Dick’s life, and he will be remembered for the warmth, patience, and steady presence he brought to every gathering and every stage of life.

A lifelong Hoosier, Dick grew up in Martinsville and attended Martinsville High School, where he built the foundation for the disciplined and thoughtful life he would go on to lead. He later served his country as a veteran of the United States Army, 35th Infantry. His military service reflected his strong sense of duty and commitment to something greater than himself. The values of loyalty, duty, respect, and selfless service remained with him throughout his life.

Perhaps nowhere was that devotion more evident than in his tireless work on the “Coffelt Database of Vietnam Casualties.” Along with a small group of others, Dick volunteered countless hours cataloging the circumstances in which servicemen and women died as a result of their service in Vietnam. The database remains publicly available and was deeded, in part, to the National Archives in 2002. It stands as a lasting testament to Dick’s extraordinary work ethic, attention to detail, and devotion to a cause greater than himself.

In his professional life, Dick worked as a Quality Control Engineer at Eli Lilly, where he was respected for his careful work, dependability, and meticulous attention to detail. He approached his career with the same quiet dedication and sense of responsibility that characterized every part of his life.

Outside of work, Dick found tremendous joy in a wide range of hobbies and interests. Gardening gave him satisfaction and peace, and he took great pride in nurturing life and watching things grow. He also loved feeding the birds that made his yard their home and could often be found on his back porch, happily observing the many species he had worked to attract.

Chess gave Dick an opportunity to think deeply and enjoy a good challenge, while reading allowed his lifelong curiosity to flourish. He was intelligent and well-read, but perhaps more importantly, he was endlessly curious. He never used his knowledge to make others feel small. Instead, he used it to learn more about the world and, especially, about the people around him.

Dick seemed to have a “head full of useless knowledge,” but to those who knew him, it was anything but useless. Somehow, he always knew something that was relevant to the conversation. More importantly, his knowledge became a way of connecting with people. He took a genuine interest in others as they were, making people feel welcomed, appreciated, and valued.

Dick’s life was a testament to steadfast love, hard work, curiosity, and devotion to family and country. He leaves behind not only memories, but an example: to work hard, remain curious, serve others, and treat people with kindness and respect. His presence will be deeply missed, but the life he lived and the values he embodied will continue to live on in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known and loved him.

A service honoring Dick’s life and legacy will be held on September 10, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at Crown Hill Funeral Home, with visitation one hour prior to service. Following the service, he will be laid to rest at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens during a graveside ceremony beginning at 2:00 p.m.