Lasting Memories

Robert Kirkman Arnold
Feb. 20, 1924-May 22, 2012
Palo Alto, California
Submitted by Mike Arnold

Robert Kirkman Arnold, age 88, passed away at his home on May 22, 2012, surrounded by loved ones.

Raised in San Francisco by his parents, Agnes and George, he attended Lowell High School where he was Senior Class President before graduating in 1941. He met his late wife, Margaret ("Peg") Koshland from Hillsborough while attending UC Berkeley. Bob, at 6'4 1/2", played center on the Bears basketball team, where he was known as "Hap" Arnold.

After the war broke out, he volunteered for the U.S. Army draft. Before being shipped off to Japan, Bob and Peg were married in March 1945. The war ended before he arrived in Japan.

Upon returning home he resumed his education at UC Berkeley earning a PhD in Economics (1961). He moved to Palo Alto where he and Peg raised their three children Kirk (1948), Keven (1950) and Michael (1953). Bob pursued a career as an economist at Stanford Research Institute until 1969, when he and Stephen Levy founded an economics consulting business called The Center for the Study of the California Economy.

Bob was famous for pursuing causes in which he believed. He ran for Congress in 1968 on an anti-war platform. He didn't win the primary, but he won many hearts and souls. He was devoted to finding novel ways to educate the public on economic topics. He was always ready to join a march, give a speech, or offer his support to help the causes he believed in.

Peg passed away in 1999. In 2005 he married the lovely and wonderful Carrie Knopf from Palo Alto. Carrie and her late husband Kermit Knopf had been friends with Bob and Peg for many years. Bob and Carrie were inseparable and enjoyed 13 wonderful years together. Bob took pleasure in getting to know and spend time with Carrie's children and grandchildren. Bob and Carrie traveled together and spent long days on the coast of Northern California. Bob and Carrie were devoted to each others' happiness, good humor, and well-being.

Bob will always be remembered for his integrity, intelligence, storytelling, limericks, exuberant good humor and the unmatched positive energy and passion he shared with everyone.

Bob is survived by his wife, Carrie; his three children, Kirk, Keven and Michael, their spouses and his three grandchildren; by Carrie's three children, Bret, Karen and Clay, their spouses, and by her six grandchildren.