David Alan Arnold

1937 - 2018

David Alan Arnold

Hendersonville, NC - David Alan Arnold (80) passed away at Elizabeth House in Hendersonville, NC on August 3, 2018 following an unexpected illness that began in January 2018.

Dave was born August 25, 1937, in Cincinnati OH to the late Ruth Fabra Arnold and Allie F. Arnold. He was raised in Falmouth KY and Lima OH. Graduated from at Lima Central H.S., studied education at Miami University and banking and finance at Stonier Graduate School of Banking (Rutgers University) and the Columbia University Arden House Management School for Banking.

In his professional life, Dave worked his way from a teller cage to eventually become the president of a bank (First National Bank of Zanesville, OH). He came out of retirement to accept a position in then Governor, Robert Taft's administration, as the Deputy Superintendent for Ohio State Chartered banks. Again, following that retirement, Dave accepted a position with the Federal Reserve Banking system as a risk management and asset quality Special Examiner. He worked for the Cleveland and Atlanta branches of the reserve system until his final retirement in 2016. Dave was very proud of his contribution, and those of his colleagues, who helped struggling banks in the southeast following the real estate crash of 2008.

Dave served as a U.S. Navy Midshipman during college, serving at sea on destroyers for brief periods. Then he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as a Staff Sgt. in 1965. Dave was awarded Marksman and Expert decorations for his accomplishments with rifle and carbine. He felt that serving in the US military was an honor and an obligation. The U.S. Flag flew proudly at every home he owned.

Believing that service to others was a way of life, Dave served the communities in which he lived as a Rotarian, a member of the boards of Chambers of Commerce, a SCORE counselor, a civilian advocate for Tyndall Air Force Base, on the board of a community orchestra, Board of Director Gulf State Community College, member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, Hendersonville Community Music Center and member of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Hendersonville.

On April 25, 2018 Dave served on a four-member panel at an Alzheimer's Association symposium, "Walk with Me A While." Having dementia was challenging for Dave, and as he said, "memory loss was the least of my issues." The panel, all of whom have a diagnosis of one or more types of dementia, spoke openly and honestly about the challenges living with the disease to a room packed with health care professionals, counselors, and care givers. His goal was to help others understand that dementia "can obliterate one's dignity" and offered, from his perspective, how we could preserve dignity and independence in those diagnosed with any type of dementia.

His parents and his wife of 31 years, Kathleen Kissling, precede Dave in death. He is survived by his wife, Kathi Bivens, and stepson, Michael Bradley, daughter-in-law, Crystal (Shook) Bradley, and two grandchildren, Xander Reed and Olive Monroe. Though he has no blood relatives, Dave proudly belonged to his family of choice in his church, in the community, and in his memory support groups.

Services for Dave will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 900 Blythe Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792 on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at 2:00pm. Dave requested that no money be spent on flowers and rather for your consideration of supporting the following charities: Veterans Healing Farm (veteranshealingfarm.org), Hendersonville Community Music Center (hvlmusic.com), or MemoryCare (memorycare.org).