Robert W. Arnold

Robert W. Arnold, 87, of Sioux City, retired Sioux City Fire Chief, died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007, at Indian Hills Hospice Unit after a long illness.

Services will be 3 p.m. Monday at First Covenant Church, with the Rev. Michael Zabel officiating. A private burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation, with the family present, will be 4 to 7 p.m. today, at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Robert was born July 14, 1920, in Brown County, Ind., the son of William Frederick and Nora Belle (Chitwood) Arnold.

He married L. Margene LeMoine on July 18, 1938, in Ponca, Neb. She died Feb. 20, 1979, in Sioux City. He later married Alice H. Davis on Sept. 13, 1980, in Sioux City. She died Dec. 11, 1998, in Sioux City.

After his graduation from Central High School in 1938, Robert worked at the C.S. Van Easton Grocery chain until 1942. He then joined the Sioux City Fire Department in September 1942. In May of 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served in the South Pacific during World War II. After his discharge from the service in 1946, he rejoined the Fire Department. He was promoted to lieutenant in June of 1949, elevated to captain in December of 1951, assistant chief in May of 1964 and fire chief in December of 1971, until his retirement in 1979.

He was a member of First Covenant Church. Prior to that, he was of the Baptist faith, where he was baptized in Believers Baptism. He served as deacon, chairman of deacons and board of trustees and served as chairman of board of trustees. He was also a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Triangle Lodge 643 A.F. & A.M., the Sioux City Consistory and the Lion's Club. Robert enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Survivors include a son and his wife, Roger and Carol Arnold of Lakeside, Calif.; three grandchildren, Robert M. Arnold of El Cajon, Calif., Kathi A. Weber of El Cajon and Kristin A. Preddy of San Diego, Calif.; and four great-grandchildren, Laura Preddy, Rachel Preddy, Megan Weber and Emma Arnold.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wives, Margene and Alice.

Honor guard and pallbearers will be members of the Sioux City Fire Department.

Memorials may be made in his name to Hospice of Siouxland.