David Alan Arnold

David Alan Arnold, 80, passed away Friday, Aug. 3, 2018, at Elizabeth House, Hendersonville, North Carolina, following an unexpected illness that began in January. Dave was born Aug. 25, 1937, in Cincinnati, to Ruth Fabra Arnold and Allie F. Arnold. He is survived by his wife, Kathi Bivens; a stepson, Michael Bradley; a daughter-in-law, Crystal (Shook) Bradley; and two grandchildren, Xander Reed and Olive Monroe. Dave was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 31 years, Kathleen Kissling. He was raised in Lima and Falmouth, Kentucky. He graduated from Lima Central High School, studied education at Miami University and banking and finance at Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Rutgers University and Columbia University Arden House Management School for Banking. In his professional life, Dave worked his way from a teller cage to eventually become president of First National Bank of Zanesville. He came out of retirement to accept a position in Gov. Robert Taft's administration as deputy superintendent for Ohio state-chartered banks. Again, following that retirement, Dave accepted a position with the Federal Reserve as a risk management and asset quality special examiner. He worked for Cleveland and Atlanta branches of the reserve system until his final retirement in 2016. Dave was very proud of his contribution, and those of his colleagues, who helped struggling banks in the southeast following the real estate crash of 2008. Dave served as a U.S. Navy midshipman during college, serving at sea on destroyers for brief periods. Then he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as a staff sergeant in 1965. Dave was awarded marksman and expert decorations for his accomplishments with rifle and carbine. He felt that serving in the U.S. military was an honor and an obligation. The U.S. flag flew proudly at every home he owned. Believing that service to others was a way of life, Dave served the communities in which he lived as a Rotarian, a member of the boards of Chambers of Commerce, a SCORE counselor, a civilian advocate for Tyndall Air Force Base, on the board of a community orchestra, on the board of directors of Gulf State Community College, a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, Hendersonville Community Music Center and a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Hendersonville. Dave served on a four-member panel April 25 at an Alzheimer's Association symposium, "Walk with Me A While." Having dementia was challenging for Dave, and as he said, "memory loss was the least of my issues." The panel, all of whom have a diagnosis of one or more types of dementia, spoke openly and honestly about the challenges living with the disease to a room packed with health care professionals, counselors and caregivers. His goal was to help others understand that dementia "can obliterate one's dignity" and offered, from his perspective, how we could preserve dignity and independence in those diagnosed with any type of dementia. Though he has no blood relatives, Dave proudly belonged to his family of choice in his church, in the community and in his memory support groups. Services for Dave will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 900 Blythe St., Hendersonville, NC 28792. Dave requested no money be spent on flowers and rather for your consideration in supporting the following charities: Veterans Healing Farm (veteranshealingfarm.org), Hendersonville Community Music Center (hvlmusic.com) or MemoryCare (memorycare.org).