Obituary of Arnold Elmo Glarborg

Dr. Arnold E. Glarborg died on February 14, 2014, in Tucson, Arizona. Arnold was born in St. Paul, Nebraska on March 10, 1922. His mother and father were recently from Denmark, so he spoke Danish until the age of 5 when he went to school and learned English. He and his brothers and sisters learned at an early age to help their parents on the farm. In 1934 the family moved to Aberdeen, Idaho, because of the extreme drought of the Dust Bowl years. Arnold graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1940. He and his 2 brothers served in the Army during World War II. Arnold was in the Military Police and was assigned to the personal Honor Guard for the commanding general of the Eighth Army, Lt. General Robert Eichelberger. He was among the first Americans into Japan when the war was over, as he accompanied the General when they left the Philippines and went to Japan to prepare for the army of occupation. Following Arnold's discharge he went to Washington State University, and after two years of college he was accepted into the college of Veterinary Medicine. At WSU he met his wife of 62 years, Estelle Steinke, and they were married in Pullman, Washington on June 10, 1951. Arnold graduated from WSU in 1954 and practiced Veterinary Medicine in Aberdeen, Idaho from 1954 to 1959, and in Blackfoot, Idaho from 1959 to 1987, for a total of 33 years. He enjoyed his work, his clients, and his fellow veterinarians. Dr. Glarborg was a faithful member of the local, state, and national veterinary associations, and served 5 years on the Idaho State Veterinary Examining Board. In 1987 he was named Idaho Veterinarian of the Year, the highest award given by the Idaho Veterinary Medical Association. He was shocked and speechless. The award meant a lot to him because it came from his peers. Arnold enjoyed reading, especially the Bible and history books. He was a Civil War Buff. Fishing and wood working were among his favorite activities. After retirement he added a new utility room to his home and remodeled the kitchen, including making all the kitchen cabinets. He also started cooking all the meals, which he continued to do for the next 20 years, much to his wife's delight. A classical music concert was his favorite entertainment; he regularly attended symphony concerts and was pleased to be asked to be a member of the Symphony Board for the Idaho State Civic Symphony. Arnold met many people that he considered to be good friends when he was a member of Toastmasters. He also belonged to the Gideons. Most everyone who knew Arnold in the Blackfoot area called him "Doc," and he was well known for his sense of humor, which stayed with him to the very end of his life. Arnold had a strong devotion to his faith and to his family. He was a lifelong Lutheran, and was very active in his church. He taught Bible Study, served as a lay minister, and put in many hours serving breakfasts in the food booth that the church ran during the Eastern Idaho State Fair. In 2004 he and Estelle moved to Tucson, AZ. They enjoyed the weather, their friendly community, their church, playing bridge, and the concerts in the park. They had season tickets to the concerts of 2 symphony orchestras. Arnold is survived by his wife, Estelle, and by his children Peter (Jeannie) of Spokane, Washington; his son David (Pat) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; his son Brian of Boise, Idaho; his daughter Elisabeth Ridgway (Linn Hower) of Boise, Idaho; and his daughter Alice (Bill) Taylor of American Falls Idaho. He is survived by grandsons Brad, Brent (Allyson), Brian, Derek, Eric, and Forrest, by granddaughters Brooke, Elise, Kaity, and Kelsey, and by great grandchildren Emma, Cassie, Addison, and Cole; by his 3 sisters Anna Adamek and Ellen Kranzler of Boise Idaho, and B. Deloris Jensen of Beresford South Dakota. He was preceded in death by his father George J. Glarborg and his mother Inger M. Christensen Glarborg, by his brothers Earl and George Jr. and by son-in-law Dennis Ridgway. Arnold lived at home until the last ten days of his life. Thank you to the staff at Peppi's House, where in those last ten days he received extraordinarily capable and compassionate care. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 1, at 2:30 PM at Abounding Grace Lutheran Church, 2450 S Kolb Rd., Tucson, Arizona. A memorial service will be held in Blackfoot, Idaho at a later date. The family suggests Memorial Contributions to Luther Heights Bible Camp, PO Box 389, Shoshone ID 83352, or to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 Michigan Ave, Fl 17, Chicago IL 60601. Bring's Broadway Chapel in Tucson, Arizona is in charge of arrangements.