Arnold Didrickson Obituary

Arnold R. Didrickson, 78, passed away May 10, 2011, at Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, May 13, 2011 at Evergreen Memorial Chapel, 737 E Street in Anchorage, with a potluck to follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Alano Club of Anchorage, 3103 Spenard Road.

A memorial in Sitka will occur the following Friday, May 20, 2011, at the St. Michael Orthodox Cathedral, with his ashes laid to rest at the Federal Cemetery.

Arnold R. Didrickson was born Sept. 6, 1932, in Sitka to Nancy Burke Didrickson and Ben Didrickson.

Arnold had a brother, Norman Butch Burke (deceased) and sister, Marilyn Wright Wilson, and brother, Ben Didrickson. His Tlingit name is Gaan.aa.heen an Eagle of the Kaagwaantaan clan.

Arnold and Bonny Williams of Haines had a daughter, Tammy (Stewart). He also has a daughter Christina Fodor living in British Columbia, Canada. He has many nieces and nephews, 15 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

He served in the National Guard for nine years and attained the rank of Sergeant First Class.

He worked in Sitka in many positions as a heavy-equipment operator, accounts payable clerk, assistant floor manager, president of a retail clerks union and nine years as Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital Medical Warehouse foreman. During those years in Sitka he also trolled commercially for salmon.

He was very proud of his sobriety and during this time he attained a bachelor's degree in Psychology with clinical emphases, three associate's degrees -- one in Human Services Substance Abuse and two in Business Administration with one in Business Management.

He worked in Anchorage at the Providence Hospital in a substance abuse program. He then resigned and relocated to Juneau to work for the T&H in a substance abuse grant program in which he was responsible for the administration and implementation to reduce substance abuse in Southeast Alaska. He then returned to Anchorage after a short time and was faithful in the fellowship of AA being a very helpful sponsor to many.

Arrangements are with Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel, www.janssenfuneralhomes.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Anchorage Daily News from May 13 to May 14, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Arnold Didrickson

9 Entries

Rose Stasco

May 9, 2023

I enjoyed very much getting to know Arnold, even though I didn't know him very long I'm glad we were acquainted for awhile at least.

Mary Lekanof

May 19, 2011

Arnold was a 'backbone' of the Anchorage Tlingit and Haida Community Council (T&H). He was faithful in attending monthly meetings and participated in the special events and always contributed so much to the social life of the Tribe. I enjoyed knowing him and in reading his obit, I am shocked to learn that we have the same birthday! May his Memory be Eternal. Mary L. Lekanof
Former officer with Anchorage T&H for many years.

Gregiory Nothstine

May 16, 2011

He was a good man and fine example for living sober among our Alaska Native people. He will be missed. Blessings and condolences to the Didrickson clan. Rest In Peace Arnold, thank you for your example.

Karen Wilson

May 15, 2011

Sleep well my love.
Karen Wilson

Rose Stasco

May 14, 2011

My deepest condolences to the friends and family of Arnold. I got to know him during his college years and I enjoyed his friendship.........he was a very caring person who I am proud to say was my friend. I was very sad to see he has passed on. What a good man. Glad I knew him even for a short time.

May 13, 2011

it was a pleasure to meet Arnold's daughter,son and sister and to take part in the celebration for him .He will surely be missed by the many lives he touched. have a safe journey as you take Arnold home. This is certainly a great loss for the Anchorage Tlingit and Haidia Community. Sharing the day with you his family it was good to be able to get the chance to say"thank you for sharing Arnold" as it was put by one of our cousins. Pam See/Mabel W. Pike Anchorage,Ak.

Ethel Williams

May 13, 2011

My sincere Condolences for Arnolds Passing on to a higher place.
To continuously live there with the Spirit; while singing and dancing new phrases for His Glory."
To the Higher Power of His own Understanding. Thanks Arnold for all your Support given to many. God"s blessing to all; whom still suffer!
Family and Friends of Bill W. from all its Members.

charlie & mary c.

May 13, 2011

Thank you,Arnold, for the years you shared your experience, strength and hope. We deeply appreciate your tireless service to the fellowship and your native peoples.

Alfred Tellman

May 13, 2011

I met and worked with Arnold about 1975 at Franklin Bluff just south of Prudhoe Bay, on the Trans Alaska Pipeline. Since then I stayed in contact for a while and gave him a ride to ANMC about 1980. Later he said that was the day he sobered up? Later when I had to sober-up or die trying (late 1991), there he was! I think he was working for the providence hospital and he looked reasonbly broke, happy and healthy. Thats all I wanted out of life and he was a shining example of that.
I believe he bore his burdens gracefully and can only hope his passing was also gracefull.... Al Tellman - Wasilla

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