Richard “Dick” Arnold, 76, formerly of Austin, passed away peacefully on June 18 after a short battle with cancer.

He was born July 6, 1934, in Austin, Minn., to parents Ray and Wanda Arnold. He grew up in Austin and attended Austin High School. After high school, he served in the Navy, where one of his responsibilities was navigating onboard a blimp, and he served during the Korean War. On July 17, 1954, he married the love of his life, Donna May Sheetz. They were married for 54 wonderful years before she passed away in 2008. Locally, he worked at Hormel for many years and served as the president for the local P-9. He was a member of the American Legion, Elks Club and the Eagles Club. After retiring, Dick and Donna wintered in Sunrise, Fla., and summered in Lake City, Minn. He enjoyed golfing, woodworking, boating, walking on the beach and spending time with his family and friends. He was a kind, loving, gentle and humorous man.

He spent his last few months of life in home hospice care surrounded by all those who loved him; his three children, Debra (Kendall) Klaehn of Adams, Minn., Becky (Tom) Harris of Byron, Minn., Scott (Dale McBurney) Arnold of Pompano Beach, Fla.; his dear friend Joan Hoffman of Sunrise, Fla.; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Larry Arnold of Banning, Calif., and Don (Jeannie) Arnold of Austin and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Donna; parents, Ray and Wanda; two brothers, Deryl Arnold and Robert Arnold. He will be greatly missed by all.

Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, June 23, 2011, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with Rev. Kristi Koppel and Pastor Carol Shaffer officiating. Friends may call one hour before the service at the church on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials honoring him to Seasons Hospice of Rochester, Minn. Arrangements by Mayer Funeral Home.