Robert S. Arnold

Robert S. Arnold, 85, of Houston died Tuesday, November 10, 2020 in Washington Hospital. 

He was born February 2, 1935, in Washington, a son of Robert S. and May Sites Arnold. 

Mr. Arnold was a 1953 graduate of Chartiers High School and went on to graduate from the General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan in 1956. 

After serving as Operations Manager for a number of years, Mr. Arnold became President of Arnold Pontiac-GMC serving from 1967 through 2010. He received numerous awards including GM’s Pontiac Master Dealer Award for 15 consecutive years and he was elected to GM’s Pittsburgh Zone Dealer Council.  Mr. Arnold led the formation of the Western Pennsylvania Pontiac and GMC Dealer Ad Associations where he served terms as president in both.  From 2010 until the time of his death, he served as President of Arnold Motor Company.

He was a lifelong member of First United Presbyterian Church of Houston, where he served as an elder.  Mr. Arnold was also very active in supporting the community by hosting an annual Children’s Christmas party for many years, providing funds to support the expansion of local hospital facilities and services, hosting the annual car show for the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Pontiac-Oakland Club (receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009), sponsoring The Adios annual horse racing event at the Meadows for many years, and supporting the creation of the Arnold Community Park in 2006.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Bob married Angela Sheick on December 6, 1955.  She died December 1, 2017.   They enjoyed 62 years of traveling, gardening, and most of all, time spent with family and friends. 

Surviving are three children, Ruth Zarger (Tony) of Rochester Hills, Mich., Shirley White (David) of Boomer, N.C., and Robert Arnold (Kim) of Chartiers Township; seven grandchildren, Jonathan and Rachael Zarger, Joshua White, Emily White Shumate, Daja Durkacs, and Shannon and Austin Arnold; five great-grandchildren, Alexis, Addison, and Maddox Durkacs, Dexter Demian, and Adeline Shumate; two sisters, Elizabeth Arnold of Houston and Nancy Kidder (Dennie) of Chartiers Township; and many nieces and nephews.

Deceased in addition to his wife and parents, are two brothers, Carl and Samuel Arnold, and his sister Mary Louise Arnold Buckels.

Due to present Covid restrictions and family concerns, services at this time are private.  A memorial service for friends and family is planned for a future date in 2021.  (see sevice note at bottom)

Arrangements have been entrusted to the McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, Owner/Supervisor, 27 Cherry Ave., Houston, PA 15342

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the First United Presbyterian Church, 102 N. Main St., Houston, PA 15342

A memorial to celebrate the life of Robert S. Arnold, 85, of Houston who died Tuesday, November 10, 2020 will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday July 31, 2021 in the First United Presbyterian Church, 102 N. Main Street, Houston, PA 15342.  The family will receive friends from 10:30 until the time of service.

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