Nils "Arnie" Arneson
Wenatchee, Washington
March 21, 2008

Nils "Arnie" Arneson passed away March 21, 2008, of sarcoma, a rare form of cancer. He lived the past year to the fullest. Arnie was born December 13, 1934, in Yakima, WA, and spent his early years at the Tieton Ranger Station where his father was district forest ranger. The family later moved to Naches where he graduated from high school in 1953. Arnie went on to graduate from the University of Washington with a degree in forestry in 1957. He began his career with the U.S. Forest Service, even before graduation. Arnie worked in several forest service districts early in his career, including Leavenworth where he was involved with making Mission Ridge a reality. In 1966, Arnie was transferred to Mt. Hood, OR, where he met and married Carol at Timberline Lodge in 1968. In 1970, he became district ranger in Winthrop, WA. It was the highlight of his career. A son, John, was born that year. In 1977, the family moved to Colorado. He retired from the Forest Service and the family moved to Wenatchee in 1984. Arnie established a forestry and recreation consulting firm that he operated until his death. He truly loved his work and the people he worked with. Arnie had a passion for managing public lands for future generations.

He was a 50-year member of the Society of American Foresters and served as the state chairperson, was a Certified Forester and elected Fellow in 2001. He was appointed honored alumnus by the University of Washington in recognition of "Excellence in the Profession of Forestry" in 1991. Since 1996, Arnie served as president of the board for the Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center. He was proud of the board and their accomplishments. Arnie enjoyed the outdoors and loved to spend time with Carol and grandchildren in the beautiful surroundings of eastern Washington.

He is survived by his loving wife, Carol; grandchildren, Anton, Laken, Benjamin, Johnathan, Lindsey and Reagen; and their mother and Arnie's daughter-in-law, Penny Arneson (Ken) Sweet of Carnation, WA. Other survivors include his brothers-in-law, Dennis West (Maria), Douglas West (Nancy), Mike Anderson (Lolly); sisters-in-law, Joy Swanson (Dr. David) and Ann DeFrancisco; and mother-in-law, Dorothy West. Arnie was preceded in death by his parents; son, John; sister, Joanna; brother-in-law, Dale West; and grandson, Kenneth, Jr.

A memorial service will be held Friday, April 25, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. at the Columbia Breaks Interpretive Center Amphitheater in Entiat. The family would like to suggest, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Seattle Cancer Alliance Center for Sarcoma Research, or to Columbia Breaks Interpretive Center to construct a gazebo picnic area.