Michael "Mike" Arnold
Aug. 28, 1942-Jan. 15, 2019
Reno, Nevada

Michael “Mike” Arnold, 76, a Menlo Park native, passed away in Reno, Nevada, on January 15, 2019 with his loving wife Darlene at his side.

The son of Thomas Church “Pop” Arnold and Fanny Hastings Arnold, Mike is survived by his wife, daughter Rachel, stepdaughter Christine, siblings Henry, Emily, Jesse, Sally, extended relatives Bill Grimm (Cathy), and Mary Mack.

Born and raised in Menlo Park, He attended Las Lomitas Elementary and Woodside High School. He subsequently served in the Navy as an Air Crewman and graduated from Foothill College. Mike was able to complement his substantial mechanical, building and people skills as a successful building contractor on the Midpeninsula and later in Pine Mountain Lake, California, where he and Darlene lived for several years.

Mike’s local family history extends back to 1935 when his parents founded the Idle Hour Stable on the 3½ acre site of the former Stanford Dairy Farm in West Menlo Park. Several historic Arnold Family stories have been posted in the Menlo Park Historical Associations “Gate Post” publications over the years.

In 2010 Mike and Darlene moved to Reno where they found and enjoyed a comfortable and active lifestyle and were deeply involved as sponsors and attendees in many charity, arts, social organizations and events. Of significant pride was their active sponsorship of Reno’s Artown as “Center Stage” and the downtown Reno dog park.

Pursuant to his lifelong interest in cars and motor sports and having restored several classic cars, Mike was active in the Reno National Auto Museum organization. Throughout life, having competed successfully in off-road motorcycle racing and endurance events, Mike extended his motor sports interests in Reno and became a ranked competitor, sponsor and team member of the Northern Nevada Kart Club.

Mike was a loving, quiet and stubbornly independent man of action who was admired by his many friends and associates. He will be missed.