Vern L. Arnold, 94, of Yakima, WA, died Saturday, March 26, 2011 at Landmark Care Center after a brief illness. He was born in Seattle on December 16, 1916, the son of Vern and Bess (McNeel) Arnold.
He entered the U.S. Air Force and trained as a Bombardier serving with the 384th Bomb Group based at Grafton Underwood, England. Having completed 30 missions, he was honorably discharged on June 9, 1945. After “the War,” he continued in the title business retiring from his position as Chief Title Officer at Chicago Title in 1983. He served as president of the Washington Land Title Association. An avid photographer, he worked for the state of Washington as a professional photographer, won a photo contest at the Seattle Times, and had his work exhibited at the Seattle Art Museum.
Vern married Ruth Bruty in Seattle on April 17, 1942 . She died in September, 1984. On February 15, 1986, he married Peggy Kissling in Yakima, WA. Until 2007 he and Peggy divided their time between the condo in Yakima and their home on Whidbey Island.
In his retirement years, Vern attended several reunions of his 384th group in the U.S. as well as England and until early February was a regular volunteer at the McAllister Museum of Aviation in Yakima.
Vern loved sharing and hearing stories about B-17s and “the 384.th” He was willing to share his war story with civic groups, students, and visitors to the McAllister Museum. In 2004, he wrote B-17 Bombardier Vern Arnold, A History of an Air Crew Member of the 384th Bomb Group.
Vern is survived by his children, Sandra Millson, Richard (Deborah) Arnold, Robert (Pamela) Arnold, Judie Engel, son-in-law, Bruce Smith; step children, Gary (Nancy) Kissling, Andrew (Jill) Kissling, grandchildren, Eric, Kenneth, and Deanna Engel, Peter Arnold; step grandchildren, James Patrick (JP) Kissling, Amy (Devin) Casto , Rory (Janelle) Kissling and Jared Kissling; great grandchildren, Raushan Engel-Pearson; and step grand children, Maddie and Miah Casto and Colton Kissling. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jan Smith. His wife, Margaret “Peggy” Arnold died on March 30, 2011.
A military interment service will be held at the Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA. on Friday, April 8, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. Keith & Keith Funeral Home are entrusted with the arrangements.
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