MALVEN ARNUM, 78, beloved husband of 50 years, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and cousin passed away peacefully on Monday night at his home after a valiant battle with cancer. A former long-time resident of Sudbury, Massachusetts, Mr. Arnum moved to Raleigh, North Carolina in 2006 to be close to his daughter and three grandsons. Mr. Arnum was predeceased by his parents, Magnhild and Monrad Arnum of Brooklyn, NY, a brother Magnus, and sister Swanhild. He is survived by his wife Martha, children Karen, Anita, and Michael, grandsons Ryan, Nicholas, and Jake, sisters Leny, Dagny, and Elyn, sister-in-law Evelyn, brothers-in-law Dennis and William, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Mr. Arnum was the eldest of six children, the first three born on a small island on the west coast of Norway, and the younger three born in the United States. He immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of 15 in 1948. The family made their home in Brooklyn, New York; Mr. Arnum earned a degree in electrical engineering at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute.
In 1961 he married his sweetheart Martha J. Thompson, also of Norwegian heritage. When he secured a job with the Raytheon Corporation, they made their first home in North Plainfield, New Jersey and then Woburn, Massachusetts before finally settling in Sudbury, Massachusetts, an idyllic suburb west of Boston. He later earned two masters degrees from Northeastern University in electrical engineering and engineering management.
Mr. Arnum was a member of Sudbury United Methodist Church before transferring to Millbrook United Methodist Church in Raleigh. He was an avid stamp collector, a keen student and tutor of advanced mathematics, competitive bridge player, as well as a gardener and carpenter.
His primary interest, however, was his strong ties to his native land of Norway, where he returned to his family home to visit friends and relatives as often as he could. He was an active member of Sons of Norway, Norumbega Lodge #3-506, which he once served as President and other positions, including the chief food buyer for the Lodge's annual Scandinavian Fair.
A memorial service will be held at 11am, Saturday, March 24th at Millbrook United Methodist Church in Raleigh. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to either: The Merkel Cell Carcinoma Fund, Attn: Paul Nghiem, MD, PhD, University of Washington, Dermatology, 815 Mercer St., Brotman Building – Room 242, Box 358050, Seattle, WA 98109, Or online at: https://secure.gifts.washington.edu/uw_medicine/gift.asp?source_typ=2&source=EFF, or Millbrook United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 1712 E Millbrook Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
April 2, 2012
Duke Chiotelis
Karen, Hope you are well. I think about you from time to time. I am very sorry to hear about your loss. I read the write up about your dad and did not realize he was such an accomplished man. My memory of him is about the stereo cabinet he made and how kind he was. My thoughts are with you and your family.
April 2, 2012
I am so sorry to hear about Mal's passing. I remember him from his participation in the Sudbury Sr. Center Stamp Club. He was alwarys ready to help us of more limited stamp knowledge, and well-liked by all. He was kind and sharing of himself among our group. I thank God for his life.
Doris Soule, Sudbury, MA
March 25, 2012
Meg Nettleton
My thoughts and prayers to all the Arnums. Mal was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be missed but leaves many great memories.
Meg White Nettleton
March 23, 2012
Sue and Bob Mandel
Karen, thinking of you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
March 23, 2012
Debbie Thaggard
Karen and family.Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
March 22, 2012
Bob & Sandy Gaudier
We were so sorry, Martha and family, to hear of Mal's passing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
March 22, 2012
Rob Zeleniak
Our sincere condolences to the Arnum family.
March 22, 2012
Paulette Wellnan
Martha and family. You are in my prayers. May God give you peace during this trying time.
March 22, 2012
So sorry for your loss.
Mary Lou Ferguson
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