Richard Joseph "Richard Redtail Hawk" Arnold

1941 - 2023

Richard Redtail Hawk, AKA Richard Joseph Arnold died on August 1, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on April 21, 1941 in Los Angeles, California, son of Patricia Patterson and Joseph Galvin. Most of Richard's childhood was spent in Tehachapi, California. From an early age, and owing to many obstacles in his early life, Richard had an incredible work ethic, and a strong sense of self-fulfillment for his future.
Richard met his future wife, Linda Arnold, in Tehachapi before he began putting himself through UCLA. Richard's half-brother, David Arnold, had given him the conviction that an education was key to an independent adulthood, and Richard dedicated himself to this ideal. Richard moved to UC Santa Barbara, and later CSU Long Beach, earning a Bachelor's degree and teaching credential in English.
When Richard and Linda moved to Bishop in 1965, after securing a teaching position at Bishop Union High School, he fell in love instantly with the landscape – the High Sierra backcountry, and the wide open deserts of the Eastside were a source of solace and inspiration for the rest of his life. For more than thirty years, he served his community by teaching English, along with critical thinking, science fiction, poetry, and music appreciation to thousands of Bishop students, many of whom became life-long friends. He also coached cross-country for more than twenty years, emphasizing self-discipline and teamwork to a generation of runners. He was known for bringing his love for wild spaces into his teaching and his choices in both curriculum and cross-country workouts.
Near the end of his teaching career, Richard earned a Masters Degree in counseling from UNR as well as a Pupil Personnel Services credential. He then provided counseling services for many years in Bishop and Lone Pine, and supervised intern teachers in the Cal State Teach program throughout the Eastern Sierra. During his last two years at Bishop High, he developed a successful peer counseling program for students, an experience he cherished as much as anything in his career.
He always felt deeply attached to the Starlite home that he and Linda had built during their 23 year marriage, and, due in part to their ties to the house, they remained close friends to the end of their days. Richard later remarried with Verna Henrickson. In the 3rd chapter of his life, Richard re-acquainted with his middle school sweetheart, Janet Comstock, and they remained partners until his death in August.
Richard will be remembered by all who knew him well as an extremely generous man, as a thoughtful and able mentor, and as a deeply kind person who unfailingly stood up for the principles he believed in. His determination to create the life he wanted, rather than the one he had inherited, was an inspiration to generations of young adults to learn to think for themselves, read continually, and write with authority.
Richard is survived by his brothers David and Bill Arnold, and a host of loving family and friends who will forever miss his presence.
A celebration of Richard's life is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on October 14, 2023 at the Starlite house – 327 Altair Cr., Bishop. Dinner will be served.
Please RSVP to jbperry193@gmail.com by October 1st in order to help us plan for food.