Chester A. Arnold, Sr.

Chester A. Arnold Sr., 88, of Pottsville, passed away peacefully Friday, March 18, at Schuylkill Center, Pottsville.

Born Sept. 14, 1933, in New Castle, he was a son of the late H. Esther (Reynolds) and Alden McBride.

He was the husband of Barbara J. (Manuel) Arnold. They celebrated 65 years of marriage.

He served in the Navy as a TE 2 on the USS Kearsarge (CVA-33) in the Korean War. He served in Guam and for a year on the Pacific atoll of Kwajalein.

He was formerly employed by Allied Chemical from 1964 to 1986 and served as the plant manager in Pottsville from 1978 to 1986. It is widely known that he was the best plant manager ever. He retired from Presto Products as a plant manager in 1997.

Chet was a rotarian; a member of the Chamber of Commerce; former Pottsville Hospital board member; a Little League coach; an Eagle Scout and was an adult Scout leader. He also was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, Pottsville. He enjoyed gardening and reading and loved boats and boating.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Chester A. Arnold Jr. (Michelle), Pensacola, Fla., and Stephen C. Arnold (Mary), Virginia Beach; daughters, Laura Field (Steve), Orwigsburg, and Cynthia Lynne Arnold, Reading; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Joseph, Boca Raton, Fla.

Chet's motto was "always be honest, truthful and sincere and always offer help."

Services and interment will be held privately.