David (Dave) Lawrence Arnson Obituary (1938

David (Dave) Lawrence Arnson, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend returned to his Heavenly Father on Oct. 28, 2024, in American Fork, Utah. He was 86. A convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dave contributed his architectural expertise after retirement in three missions with his wife, Bobbie, for major church projects — the renovation of the Salt Lake Tabernacle and the construction of the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple and the Provo City Center Temple. Dave was born on Oct. 20, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois, to Morton Lawrence and Elizabeth Willard Arnson. He was proud of his Norwegian-American ancestry. He attended school in Denver, Colorado, graduating from South High in 1956. He earned a bachelor of architecture from the University of Colorado-Boulder and a master of science in Organization and Management from the University of Colorado-Denver. Dave was a thoughtful, soft-spoken, and kind man who was patient and loving toward all. Dave married Bobbie Crosby Legerski on Sept. 9, 2000, in the Denver Colorado Temple, where they were sealed together for time and eternity. He always put Bobbie first and treated her with a gentleman’s care. He taught her the value of the unspoken word. He was a wonderful, loving, kind, attentive husband and the memory of his positive, happy spirit will be cherished until they are together once again. Dave treasured his three sons, Jeff, Greg, and Mike Arnson. He was their father, their great baseball coach, their math tutor, and donut provider. He taught them the importance of education and hard work. The boys loved spending time with Dad as he drove them from home to home on early Sunday mornings to help them with their paper route. He also taught his children through example by living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and through scripture study, father’s interviews, blessings, and wise counsel. He also enjoyed taking the boys to San Diego Padres games and running 5Ks and 10Ks with Mike. Dave was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ on Dec. 21, 1996. He had a lifelong unwavering testimony of, and a never-ending commitment, to his Savior, Jesus Christ. He served the Lord humbly in any capacity asked of him. He dedicated all he had to the Lord and freely gave to any and all in need. He lived what he believed and he had great faith. Dave served in the branch presidency of the Denver South Broadway Branch and on the Edgemont North Stake High Council in Provo, Utah. Dave loved dessert, especially chocolate ice cream. He also loved poetry and the power of positive thinking. He was a voracious reader of books about history, religion, poetry and business. He wrote two books about architecture and the family. He served for six years in the U.S. Army Reserve and was very Patriotic. He loved to display the U.S. flag outside the family home on holidays. Dave loved architecture. He made significant contributions to major projects throughout his career. He provided project coordination for a five-year Federal Aviation Administration contract for new air traffic control towers and base buildings that include work at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport and the Los Angeles Airport (LAX). He provided lead architect and management skills for the U.S. Salinity Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Riverside, California. He also supervised the design development and production of the San Diego Zoo Surgery Unit and the medical teaching facility at the University of California-San Diego. Dave is survived by his wife, Bobbie; three sons, Jeff, Greg, and Mike; step-daughter, Keri Legerski; and step-son, Tad Walch. He was “Grandpa” to 14 loved grandchildren — Mikaela, Ryan, David, Michelle, Mikelle, Ashley, Isaac, Adam, Audrey, Matthew, Boston, Willard, Katie and Abby. He had four great grandchildren, Kaya, Cody, Hudson and Cooper. He was preceded in death by his parents. Step-son Brice Legerski and Brother Allan. The family is grateful to the staff at Bel Aire Senior Living and Belle Vie Hospice for the loving care they provided Dave. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at the Edgemont 21st Ward Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2900 N. 650 East, Provo, Utah. A viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Interment will be at the Cowley Cemetery in Cowley, Wyoming. In lieu of flowers please honor Dave with a donation to the Brice C. Legerski Scholarship Fund at the Sheridan College Foundation, P.O. Box 6328, Sheridan, Wyoming 82801, scfoundation@sheridan.edu, (307) 675-0700.