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Robert M. Arnold
Robert Morris Arnold of Seattle, noted banking executive, venture capitalist, and philanthropist
died at his home in Palm Springs, California on Wednesday, February 27, 2013. Bob, as he was known to his legion of friends, died peacefully after a brief illness. He was 84.
A lifelong resident of Seattle, with homes in San Francisco and Palm Springs, Mr. Arnold was prominent in Seattle banking circles as a long time Vice President and Director of the Seattle First National Bank. Additionally, he was a highly regarded angel and venture investor who possessed an uncanny eye for the next great idea. He was also a very active philanthropist who supported amongst other things the Fred C. Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the Seattle Art Museum, Swedish Medical Center and Yale University.
Mr. Arnold graduated from the Lakeside School in Seattle, Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey and received his BA from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut in 1951. Following Yale, Mr. Arnold enlisted in the US Navy where he received his Aviator Wings in 1952. He flew jet fighter aircraft missions from two aircraft carriers, the Yorktown and Essex during and after the Korean War and retired as a Lieutenant, J.G. after his years of active duty service and a stint in the Naval Reserve.
After his time in the service, he embarked on a career in finance, steadily working his way up through SeaFirst Bank. After the bank was sold in the early 1980s, Mr. Arnold turned his attention to venture financing and it was here he achieved his greatest business success. A pioneer in the field years before it became fashionable, he was attracted to the entrepreneurial spirit and the dynamism that evolved from the hatching of new and creative ideas. While he possessed the commensurate analytical skills to dissect a new deal, it was his ability to measure up the individual behind the deal that gave him an advantage. "Bob was a true venture capitalist. His steady hand and perspective were second to none." says longtime associate Cole Younger. His track record as an extremely successful investor and willingness to meet just about anyone with a good idea made him a favorite in the venture community. His fingerprints are all over some of the Pacific Northwest's most successful companies.
Throughout his life, Mr. Arnold believed in giving back to the things he loved. Longstanding family ties to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Swedish Medical Center provided the catalyst for a lifetime of support. He loved the connection he had to these world class institutions but, more importantly, he loved what they were doing and how they were positively impacting lives.
His support of the Seattle Art Museum was an extension of this philosophy. For decades he was a driving force behind this world class facility. Not only did he care deeply about the art, he wanted to ensure that his beloved Seattle had an art museum that could hold its own with any in the country.
Finally, his connection to Yale was all encompassing. The years he spent there - the friends he made and the experiences he shared with them - provided the foundation from which he built his life. He made it a point to go to every reunion and stay in constant touch with his cadre of friends.
In his spare time Mr. Arnold devoted himself to two passions - travel and friends. His itineraries were legendary in his never-ending quest to visit every country in the world. At the time of his death, he had traveled to 172 and had a new adventure on the books. His curiosity to experience different cultures and meet their people was unquenchable.
However, it was his love of his friends, both old and new, that truly fueled him. To say he was a "people person" would be an understatement. Armed with a million stories and the style of a seasoned raconteur, he made countless friends throughout his life's journey. When he brought you into his orbit, there was no finer place to be. Not surprisingly Mr. Arnold was a longtime member of the Seattle Golf, Tennis and Yacht Clubs, the University Club and the Bohemian Club of San Francisco. He also enjoyed his role as a Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin (San Francisco chapter).
Mr. Arnold is survived by his wife, Patricia Arnold, his two daughters, Grace Arnold of Rancho Sante Fe, California and Lauren Gorter of Lake Forest, Illinois, son-in-law David Gorter and two grandsons, Christopher and Taylor Gorter
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be given to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center the Seattle Art Museum or the Swedish Medical Center.
A memorial service will be conducted at St. Mark's Cathedral at 1245 10th Avenue East, Seattle, Washington 98102 on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 3:00 o'clock.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
You seem like you were a good man<3
Dirks Rusk
Other
May 9, 2023
Dear Pattie we are so sorry. May the wonderful memories you guys accumulated in these years continue to bring you joy. Peace be with you dear friend.
Sandi and Steve Swanson
March 10, 2013
Dear Patti, Grace and Lauren, We will all miss Bob. I had known Bob for 61 years. I hope I make it to the funeral but have a stream of house guests in Palm Springs. Love to you all. Carol Wright
Carol Wright
March 6, 2013
March 6, 2013
I had the pleasure of working for several years with Bob, helping to plan some of his worldwide travel adventures. I learned a lot from him during those years and came to respect and enjoy his huge and genuine lust for life. In later years, whenever we bumped into each other, he always had time to talk, and I was always able to get yet another travel story out of him. I know I'm far from alone in saying that I will truly miss him!
Robert Jones
March 5, 2013
Bob made the world a better and happier place. He will be missed greatly by all who had the privilege to know him. Sending you a gentle hug to let you know that I am thinking about you during this very sad time. Maybe he and my dear Ted are having a rum punch by the pool in heaven!
Kim Herrlinger
March 4, 2013
You are in our thoughts and prayers Pattie.
Sam & Meakin Hoffer
March 4, 2013
Dear Patti, You are in my prayers,Im so sorry for your loss,God will give you the will to go on.Love and many hugs , LOVE,Vernon
Vernon Malone
March 3, 2013
Steve Marzocco & Keiretsu Forum NW Chapter Founders
March 2, 2013
I had the distinct pleasure of getting to know Bob, noting early on, both his "old world Gentleman style," genuinely caring compassion for others, and his consistently quick, respectful and yet mischievous wit. Some people are blessed with a twinkle in their eye, showing the child within, well into their adulthood, while a rare few honor this part to themselves and touch many others around them through this, for all their years; I feel Bob exemplified this and more. I told many around me that I viewed him a True Prince of a Gentleman and all those I had the pleasure of introducing to him, like our recently retired Secretary of State for WA State, Sam Reed, consistently agreed. So it was only a very small measure of my deep appreciation for how important our having rare people like Bob in our region, for these reasons and those called out in the Seattle Times piece here, that Sam Reed and myself co-conceived what resulted in Bob's being honored with the very first awarding in WA State of the National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion Award. This was in recognition of his Support of Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy in our State and at the small Rainier Club Reception, we were pleased to have join us in surprising and honoring Bob, some of his closest friends and other civic, business and philanthropic leaders from our region. We even managed to coordinate his two daughters on the phone and tellingly, on Bob's accepting the award and accolades sprinkled with some great humor, by a number who graciously spoke, his always humble side holding himself to the highest standards of conduct, of which both his parents were they still here, would hopefully approve, saw not a dry eye in the place. It is difficult even as I think of Bob including that award and small reception I was able to help make happen, to not find myself moved again and very likely, always. I am delighted beyond fitting words, to have been able to show, just a little of how much he meant to so very many people, and through his work giving back both in his philanthropy but critically also, through his tireless and prolific angel investing, to countless other people who didn't even know of him. His investing helped enable many successes that have touched millions of people globally, and also helped make very wealthy, some worthy entrepreneurs and other investors who followed Bob. Very few of them, continued Bob's example in giving back through extensive philanthropy and also angel investing, so perhaps this can be an opportunity for some to step up in honoring Bob, and doing more; Bob knew such activities could help make untold impact in improving our world in countless ways. He established a wonderfully empowering model for philanthropy and giving back to the community, especially through his tireless angel investing that often saw him one of the very few making those bets, with his knowing how very critical angel investing is to a vibrant venture Eco system and ultimately to a robust and healthy, free market society.
In a far off time and place, Bob would have been my choice for being appointed by his fellow citizens for whom he obviously cared very deeply, a Model Benevolent King, as he genuinely was in every way, a True Prince of a Gentleman. He will be deeply missed but remembered, *and honored* for all my remaining days.
Sent from my iPad
Steve Marzocco
March 2, 2013
Dear Pattie, Gracie, and Lauren, Seattle lost a dear friend and He will be missed many. Love, Carol Wright
Carol Wright
March 2, 2013
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