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 | Robert Francis Arnold was born in Modesto, California on September 18, 1911 to parents William Henry and Cora Ellen Arnold. He passed away on May 1, 1996. As a child, his life was built around music. He learned to play numerous instruments, and arranged music for dance bands while still in his teens. In 1938 he married Violet May Silacci, and they moved to Fresno, where he spent the rest of his life. "My dad taught us enjoying what you do is much more important than the amount of money you make," recalls his son, Gary. "That's exactly why my dad became a school teacher. He had a rare gift I've never seen in any other teacher." Mr. Arnold starting his teaching career in 1938 at Fresno Technical High School. He retired in 1975 while teaching at Kings Canyon Junior High School. Between those, he taught at Roosevelt High School and Sequoia Junior High School. |
| As a music teacher he introduced hundreds of Fresno's youth to the pleasures of making music during their lifetime. His perfectionism shined through the music played by the school bands he lead. He could take a poor-sounding group of students and turn them into near-professional-sounding players. His talent in this area seemed unlimited. As a math teacher he could take a boring subject and make it exciting by introducing the abacus, and math games. The students loved and respected him. He was a member of the National Education Association, Fresno/Madera County Music Educators Association, and Musicians Local 210. He was also a life-time member of the CTA. Missed so very much by his surviving wife, Violet; his son, Robert, and his wife Rachael; his son Gary; his daughter, Diane Obleman, and her husband Eric Obleman; and his two grandchildren, Robert Chandler and Craig Arnold. |