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Arnold D. Samuels Ocean Shores, WA QCWA # 16641 Chapter 4 |
Arnold D. Samuels, 96 years of age, a longtime Ocean Shores, Washington resident, passed away on Monday, August 17, 2020, in Ocean Shores. Arnold and his brother, Gerard were born in Hammelburg, Germany to William and Blanka Samuels. Arnold’s family escaped Nazi Germany in 1937. In 1944, Arnold was a member of the U.S. Army and returned as a GI, first at the Battle of the Bulge calculating artillery trajectories and later helping to liberate the concentration camp at Dachau, among other achievements [European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal].
At war’s end, he served with Henry Kissinger (with whom he subsequently became a life long friend) in the CIC (Counter Intelligence Corps), the predecessor organization to today’s CIA (Central Intelligence Agency). Arnold’s WWII history is well documented in the book, “Washington Remembers World War II”, by former Daily World editor and publisher John C. Hughes. Post WW II, as a Communications Engineer spanning 40+ years with the Voice of America, Page Communications, and the U. S. Federal Government as a Civil Servant, Arnold and his family had as adventurous life in the Philippines, Wake Island and Hawaii. In 1981, he retired and relocated to Ocean Shores, Washington where both he and his wife, Phyllis, were active community members. Arnold’s hobbies included Amateur Radio (he was an active ham for 70+ years, carpentry, music, photography, reading and traveling. He was active for 60+ years in the Lions, Elks, Eagles, Shriners and Mason organizations. Residents of Ocean Shores, Hoquiam and Aberdeen also recognize Arnold as an avid Salvation Army Bell Ringer at Christmas, a major supporter of the Senior Center, the only write in candidate to the Ocean Shores Assembly ever to succeed, a contributing photographer to the North Coast News, and a frequent school guest providing students first hand views and information regarding WW II and the Holocaust. Arnold was preceded in death by his parents, William and Blanka; his brother, Gerard; his wife, Phyllis and his eldest son, Michael. He is survived by his sons, Kenneth and Stewart, four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. He will be missed.
Memorial service will be held later with interment in New York. A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, September 18, 2020, in the Faith Community Church, 240 Canal Drive SE in Ocean Shores, Washington 98569. Local arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary, 422 - 5th Street in Hoquiam, Washington.