Guatemala-El Salvador Mission

Elder and Sister Noorlander
1973-1974

Sis. Noorlander: “President and Sister Arnold with their children, Lori, Bryant, Reed, and Elaine. Pres. Arnold was only 33 years old. He looked like a missionary.

President Robert B. Arnold was only 33 when he was called as a mission president. He was 58 when he died of a heart attack at his home while shoveling snow.

He was by all accounts a wonderful teacher and communicator of the gospel. Elder and Sis. Noorlander always spoke highly of him and his wise counsel to them on many occasions.

After Elder Noorlander passed away in 1990, Pres. Arnold continued to befriend and counsel Sis. Noorlander for the remainder of his life. He was by her account a wonderful mentor and friend.

Great teacher's lessons live on after his death

By Mike Cannon Deseret News editorial writer. Published: Feb. 21, 1999 12:00 a.m.

Measuring the impact of a dedicated teacher is impossible — it is forever expanding. But an insightful glimpse was gleaned just over a week ago at the funeral of Robert B. "Bob" Arnold. The exemplary educator passed away Feb. 10 after suffering a heart attack while shoveling snow. He was only 58.

There was a remarkable amount of teaching packed into those too-few years, however. Much of it was imparted in the classroom and as an administrator for the LDS Church Educational System and member of the Granite Board of Education. Standing before pupils or behind the podium, he was a master. His grasp of curricula, of what motivated students and instructors, was superb. But it was his spirit, his persona, more than his refined techniques that made his lessons live. Most impressive was that Bob taught as much through practice as precept by countless acts of service and goodness. Looking around an overflowing LDS stake center and down crowded corridors at his memorial, it was obvious that numerous others shared the sentiment that Bob was a teacher's teacher and a man's man.

A remarkable mixture of candor — he pulled few punches — mixed with kindness, he could find meaning and messages in simple things that most others would overlook. A son of his related the experience of observing mud pots near Shoshone Lake in Yellowstone National Park. His father used the occasion to remind him that some people are like mud pots while others are clear springs — and challenged him to be the latter.

He was always teaching and always storing life's lessons for future reference. Bob lived and loved to teach. His gift of mentorship went beyond imparting powerful principles and included basic skills that bolstered self-esteem: teaching family and friends to fish, play baseball, hunt pheasants and repair most anything.

Observing him filling a church assignment on one occasion, it was instructive to see him not only petition heaven for help before his presentation to several hundred people — but also to quickly find a quiet spot and offer thanks after things went well. He always had a keen sense of mission and a clear understanding of whose errand he was on, whether his tasks were spiritual or secular.

Granite school board President Lynn Davidson praised Bob as a "great teacher who has had a profound righteous influence on thousands of people." He told of a new and positive direction in reading instruction adopted by the district at Bob's insistence, which grew out of the late teacher's concern for an illiterate 9-year-old boy in his neighborhood. He not only worked with the youngster but encouraged changing the entire system for everyone's benefit.

Most who learned from Bob in the classroom or behind the pulpit at one time or another witnessed his memorable object lesson taught with three pieces of steel: an old truck leaf spring, a rough-cut blade and a finely finished knife. His point was simple enough but powerfully illustrated: A master craftsman can make and mold lives into something meaningful, even when using the rawest of materials. He compared the steps of refining rough steel — repeated heating and cooling, forging, finishing touches and shine — with the same possibilities for people of all stations and standards.

That was always Bob's ultimate goal as a teacher, whatever the assigned subject: to shape and sharpen and hone and polish those with whom he rubbed shoulders. He did that well and with tireless effort. His ever-flowing lessons will be missed. But they will never be forgotten.

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Sis. Noorlander: “Our two presidents—Arnold (mission) and Choc (branch).”

President Harvey S. Glade

1970-1973

Pictured: President Glade with his wife Jean and their three children. The two youngest were with them in Guatemala.

Document (below): Pres. Glade’s letter to the Noorlanders before they arrived in Guatemala.