Obituary of Steven Arnold

Dr. Steven Ferris Arnold, 70, of State College, Professor Emeritus of Statistics at Penn State University, author of two textbooks on statistics and co-author of a widely used treatise on the subject, died Saturday, December 6, 2014 at his residence. Steve was a 1966 graduate of Knox College in Galesburg, IL, summa cum laude, and earned a Ph.D. in Statistics from Stanford University in 1970. Before joining the Statistics Department at Penn State, he was an associate professor of mathematics at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI. After coming to Penn State, Steve wrote two textbooks, the Theory of Linear Models and Multivariate Analysis, which is still one of the few textbooks in the field of multivariate analysis, and Mathematical Statistics. He was also a co-author of Kendall's Theory of Statistics, a widely cited treatise in the field. He was active in campus life, serving on the Academic Standards Committee and the Undergraduate Education Committee of the Penn State Faculty Senate. He served as a consultant in many projects, including the Diabetic Foot Clinic in State College. He retired from Penn State University in June 2013. Born March 8, 1944 in Milwaukee, WI, he was the son of David Rudd and Jean Gebhart Arnold. He is survived by his wife of nearly fifty years, Rana (McMurray), two sons, Timothy and his wife, Jules, of Frankfort, KY, and Christopher of Quincy, MA, two sisters, Nancy Wilson and her husband, Grady, of Carrolton, TX, Judith Connor and her husband, Jerry, of Winnetka, IL, one brother, Scott, and two grandchildren, Elizabeth and Vivian, of Frankfort, his paternal uncle and aunt, Hugh and Phyllis Arnold of Greely, CO, and his maternal aunt, Ruth Belmour of San Francisco, CA, and many other relations around the world. Well-read and widely travelled, Steve had a remarkable breadth of knowledge and interests. He could speak intelligently on topics from Faulkner to Fidelio to foreign affairs. Steve's ready wit made such conversations not only illuminating, but enjoyable. His intelligence and sense of humor will be missed. Steve had a special love of basketball and tennis, playing each until he was no longer able to be competitive. He remained an avid fan, and never passed on an opportunity to take in a basketball game or a tennis match. One of the things he enjoyed most was watching a good, competitive game. Visitation will be 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2014 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College. A celebration of life will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Celebrant Jackie Hook officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to People Center'D on Diabetes at P.O. Box 421, Lemont, PA 16851, or the Sight Loss Center, 111 Sowers, Suite 310, State College PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.