Herbert Y. Arnold

Herbert Y. Arnold SchenectadyHerbert Y. Arnold died May 2, 2013 in Schenectady, NY at the age of 87. Born in 1925 in Pittston, PA to the late Robert and Rebecca Arnold, the family soon moved to Schoharie, NY where Herb attended school, graduating in 1943. He enlisted in the US Navy and was assigned to a destroyer escort, seeing combat in the Pacific, and achieving the rank of torpedoman's mate, first class. He was recalled during the Korean War, serving on a destroyer as a first class petty officer. In 1948, he married Frances J. Brown, a partnership lasting 65 years until her death on April 1, 2013. Herb received his BS and MS in music education from Ithaca College and his administrator's certification from Syracuse University. He taught music for 11 years in schools in Newfield, Stockbridge Valley, and Downsville, NY, was district principal for five years in Franklin, NY, and was superintendent of schools for 17 years in Holland, NY, retiring in 1985. The 1984 Holland Central School yearbook was dedicated to him and stated: His interest, devotion and caring attitude is noticeable when he is seen walking among the students during the day. At his retirement dinner, the remarks about him consistently referred to his dignified manner, his concern for the welfare of the school, and his maintenance of a sense of tradition. A talented musician, he was a frequent church organist, spanning a variety of denominations. He was an 11 year accompanist for the Delaware County Men's Choir. He was also a gifted woodworker and carpenter with his projects ranging from clocks to houses. His love of boating led him to explore Lake Erie and the waterways of New York. He was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and a volunteer lighthouse keeper. Always actively involved in the communities in which he lived, over the years he was a member of many civic, education, church, and veteran's organizations. Herb was the father of Richard (Deborah) Arnold and Susan Arnold; grandfather of Amanda (Matthew) Delaney; and brother of the late William Arnold. A memorial service for both Herbert and Frances will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at Lynnwood Reformed Church, 3714 Carman Road (Route 146), Schenectady, NY, www.lynnwoodreformed.org. Interment will be in the Old Stone Fort Cemetery in Schoharie at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum, USS Slater DE766, P.O. Box 1926, Albany, NY 12201-1926, www.ussslater.org.