Dr. Thomas S. Arnold

THOMAS S. ARNOLD, MD (OB/GYN, RET)

Augusta, GA- A truly good man who asked for so little yet gave so much to so many for so long, Dr. Thomas (Tom) Arnold, of 404 Shallowford Circle in Augusta, GA, died Sunday, September 23, 2012. Dr. Arnold was born in Marion, OH on April 29, l923. He was raised in Buffalo and Kenmore, NY. He graduated from Kenmore Sr. High in l941. Dr. Arnold attended Hiram College, Hiram, OH and Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH and received a BA degree from Hiram College in l945. He was awarded his MD degree at Western Reserve University (now Case-Western University) in l948. Dr. Arnold served a rotating internship at Millard Fillmore Hospital followed by a residency in Obstetrics and gynecology at that hospital and a two-year preceptorship at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, NH under Herman Lukeman, MD, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dr. Arnold was certified by the American Board of OB/GYN in l961. He was a member of the Manitowoc Clinic, Manitowoc, WI. Dr. Arnold was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Manitowoc where he served as Elder and Clerk of Session.

Dr. Arnold was a former member of the Manitowoc County Medical Society, The Milwaukee Gynecologic Society, a life member of the American College of OB/GYN, and a founding and life member of the Augusta OB/GYN Society. In the latter organization, he served on the Executive Committee and as Membership Chairman during its first ten years.
In l980, Dr. Arnold resigned from his practice at the Manitowoc Clinic for health reasons and accepted a Civil Service appointment to the medical staff at the Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, GA. He retired from that position in l985. In l986, Tom enrolled at Augusta College (now Augusta State University) as a post-graduate student in the History and Fine Arts Departments until l993. In the course of his history studies, Tom wrote a (unpublished) book on the involvement of Augusta politicians in the Georgia State government during the Reconstruction period after the Civil War.

Tom’s community service included serving on the Board of Directors of the Manitowoc, WI Orchestra. He served as President of the Manitowoc Symphony Board, was a member of the Manitowoc/Two Rivers Chamber of Commerce, County Chairman of the Explorer Program of Waumegasaco Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and was a former member of Elks Lodge 687 in Manitowoc, WI and Lodge 205 in Augusta, GA. Tom also served as an official for the Augusta Area Junior Golf Association. He held membership in the Senior Golf Association at Forest Hills Golf Club in Augusta and was a member of the Jones Creek Senior Men’s Golf Association, also in Augusta, GA.

Music held an important place in Tom’s life. He sang in various church choirs, most recently at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church in Augusta, GA. He also sang with the Musical Union, Oberlin, OH, the Guido Chorus, Buffalo, NY, the Augusta College Choir, and the Collegium Musicum, Augusta, GA. Tom played second violin in the Augusta Youth Orchestra and in a chamber music ensemble at Augusta College. Forever a student, Tom took private lessons in voice and violin with the Fine Arts faculty of Augusta College.

Tom had a great deal of interest in Community Theater. He was an active member of Masquers, Inc. while living in Manitowoc. He was an actor and director but especially enjoyed set design and construction. At Augusta College Tom appeared on stage in two musicals and designed and built the sets for a production of H.M.S. Pinafore.

Big water and boating, specifically sailing, were a passion for Tom. An avid sailor, Tom was a former member of the Manitowoc Yacht Club and a founder of their Lightening Class Fleet. He later served as a member of the Lake Michigan Association and sailed his 30-foot keel sloop, My Fair Lady, in many offshore races on that lake. Tom also participated in several canoe trips in the north woods of Minnesota and Ontario.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond W. Arnold, Sr. and Gladys Seymour Arnold as well as his youngest sibling, David H. Arnold. Survivors include the love of his life, “Sweetie”, wife of 34 years, Judie, his sister, Janice E. Arnold, of Ohio, his brother, Raymond W. Arnold, Jr and wife, Shirley of Arizona, his daughter, Wendy Leroux, her husband John and their son, Rhys, in Wisconsin. Tom also leaves to mourn his passing, his son, Thomas John, his wife Leslie and their two sons, Tom and Will in Idaho. Tom’s youngest child, daughter, Heidi, and her husband, Lon, reside in California. LeighAnn Rebillard, Tom’s step-daughter, whom he raised from age eight, always remained exceptionally close in his heart. She resides with her husband James and son, Bodhi Lund, in Indiana. Tom is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

In accordance with Tom’s wishes, his remains have been cremated with interment at a later date. Tom also requested no formal service acknowledging his death. The family can be reached at the residence. Those wishing to make a contribution in Tom’s name are asked to consider a donation to The Golden Harvest Food Bank, 3310 Commerce Dr., Augusta, GA 30909 or to a charity of choice.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com