Philip Hamilton Arnold

Philip Hamilton Arnold was born February 17, 1933 in Emporia, KS the fourth of four children to Francis and Mary (Dakin) Arnold. He passed from this Earth on September 25, 2025 at the age of 92 yrs. 7 mo. and 8 days. While in grade school, his family moved from Emporia to Ashland. He traded the comfortable city life of a banker's son for the rustic life of Arnold Ranch in Clark County. The ranch would anchor the rest of his life, inspire his imagination, and enable his volunteerism. After graduating from Ashland High School in 1951, he attended Kansas State for two years before returning to the ranch. He and Helen Gardiner were married on November 27, 1953. They built a modest house on the ranch. Their early life together was interrupted by Phil's Army service in Alaska, returning to Ashland in 1957. The union lasted 37 years and was blessed with four children. Phil and Susan Burlingham were married May 18, 1991, enriching each other's lives until his passing. Phil earned his Eagle Scout rank as a youth and developed a lifelong commitment to scouting. His example led to numerous Eagle awards for family and other scouts under his steady guidance as scoutmaster. Adult activities included Wood badge Course Director for NC-129 in1980, Santa Fe Trail Council Scoutmaster for the troop attending the National Jamboree at Fort, A.P. Hill in Virginia (1985 and 1989), and many happy summers on the staff at Spanish Peak's, Scout Ranch in Colorado. His peers awarded him Silver Beaver for his years of service and leadership. Many campouts evenings included his recitations of poetry, such as "The Cremation of Sam McGee", or identification of constellations. While learning the ranching business, he recognized the importance of stewardship for the land. He systematically studied and cataloged the native plants on the ranch. He took hundreds of photographs, shared them with field professionals, and identified many plant species previously unknown or rarely seen in Clark County. He conducted annual wildflower tours on the ranch, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with all. Phil knew where to find those one or two "special" specimens, when they would bloom, and how to identify them. He was a charter member of the Kansas Wildflower Society and served on its board of directors from 1979-1995 (the organization later became the Kansas Native Plant Society). Phil was a lifelong Presbyterian, actively participating in the church as an elder, audio-visual technician, and all-around volunteer. He enjoyed the fellowship of the church and gave as much as he received. His children spent many Sunday's playing in the church yard, while their father had long conversations with the minister in the handshake line after the morning service. The resulting burnt roasts might not have pleased everyone in the family, but he never seemed to mind. His understanding of and appreciation for the power of nature centered his spiritual life. After retiring from active ranch work, Phil developed a Doc Gizmo persona. Susan had a long career in chemistry and physics, with a wealth of classroom demonstrations and experiments. Together, they created science presentations highlighting discrepant events to surprise audiences young and old. He delighted in driving his Doc Gizmo truck over a five-state area, wearing his rainbow lab coat, and giving demonstrations to schools, senior centers, Branson's Silver Dollar City stages, church meeting halls, and anywhere else that would have him. He proudly kept a running audience tally and enjoyed meeting people at random places who would say, "I know you! I saw your Doc Gizmo show when I was in high school." Phil was a "maker". If he saw something he wanted or liked, he would often just make it himself instead of buying it. This ranged from ranch equipment to camping gear to Doc Gizmo demonstration apparatus. He had a lifelong curiosity and thirst to continue learning, along with an unfailing sense of self and personal independence. He walked his own path but also accepted differing opinions. However, he was intolerant of unfairness, cruelty, and injustice in any form. He filled his life with activities and service to others. Besides the examples above, his pursuits included sailing and reef diving, delivering meals-on-wheels, basketball referee, political letter writer, and many years with Susan as volunteer emergency medical technicians. Preceded in death by parents Francis and Mary Arnold; siblings Frank, Doris Dial, and Carrie Humphreys; granddaughter Jessica; and ex-wife Helen. He is survived by wife Susan; children James (Cecilia), Jerry (Judy), Vicki (Carter) Mathews, and David; grandchildren Erin (Vince) Accurso, Trey (Christina) Mathews, Matt (Teika), Reid Mathews, Alex, and Eric; great- grandchildren Francesca Accurso, Alessia Accurso, Ashlyn Mathews, Braelyn Mathews, Colson Mathews, Delilah, Jael, and Rory; extended family and many close friends. Phil will be missed, but he will live on in his family. Many will remember him whenever native grass grows tall and wildflowers bloom. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm October 25, 2025 at the Trinity Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Kansas Native Plant Society, 2045Constant Ave, Lawrence, KS 66047-3729, https://www.kansasnativeplantsociety.org/knps-membership/