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Fred "Bowferd" Arnold

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Fred Arnold:
"A boy's dream, A man's life"

The bow and arrow spoke to him when he was five years old

It said, come play with me young lad if you should be so bold

The singing string and whispering shaft was music to his soul

He knew it was a part of him when he was twelve years old

The bow was small for a lad so tall as he grew so long and lean

A new bow he sought, and finely bought, this lad who turned sixteen

The years they flew and at twenty two, a bow for the bride he took

Together they hunted for whitetail deer from their camp by a babbling brook

Soon a little bow hung along side the bows of mom and dad

Then another,.. and still another,.. three little bowmen this couple had

As time went by the children grew, then Grand children came along

Once again, the longbow sang, it's captivating song

This new generation was soon to learn the wonders of stick and string

They watched as Grandpa showed them, the joys the bow could bring

No one can count the arrows that this man has sent to flight

Someday he'll shoot his very last shaft into the murky night

But for now there's a great grand child who must learn of the bow from me

This old man, still loves his bow, at the age of seventy three.

TO BE CONTINUED

-unknown

Found on Fred’s computer

Fred Arnold:
Fredrick Eugene Arnold, born November 20th 1949, died at the age of 67 while sleeping in the home he
built in Elba, NE during the quiet morning hours of December 11th, 2016.
Fred, born the eldest son and second child to Darrell Eugene and Irene Cecilia (Cunningham) Arnold is
survived by his mother Irene, seven siblings Paula, Jim, Matt, LeAnne, Monica, Darrell, and Dolores,
four children Guy, Melanie, David, and Jeffrey, thirteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father Darrell, brother Dennis, and sister Marilyn.
Fred was born and grew up spit-shining shoes as a boy in North Platte, NE where he learned that an
honest smile and an ethical character can compensate for a little orneriness and a loud laugh. He taught
a brother or two his expertly performed trade and teenage business savvy in the hardworking manner
that only the child of a devout couple with ten children could duplicate. Traveling and working, Fred
used his charm and his love of life and people to win friends across the state of Nebraska. Working as a
shoeshine boy, a butcher, a salesman, and an entrepreneur, Fred was able to take care of himself and
those close to him who needed it. Fred's honesty, loyalty, and hard work earned him a reputation as a
man that people could trust. For around twenty years Fred lived and worked in Grand Island while
raising a family before finding a piece of property that he had always wanted in Elba where he and his
children built a house and where he settled for good. Fred spent his time crafting quality traditional
longbows and custom traditional arrows. Known only as Bowferd to some, he continued in the same
manner as he always had, creating another group of true friends who respected his work and worth.
Fred, you were an avid bowman and nature lover, a worker and a player. You were a true cowboy. A
son, a father, a brother, a protector, an adviser, a comedian, and a dancer. Your spirit cannot be replaced,
and your laugh cannot be replicated. Before you left us, you said that you were at peace with God. Go
with God, Fred. You will be sorely missed.

Fred Arnold:
I apologize if there is a more appropriate place to post this. I know that my father loved the activity on these boards and that there may have been unfinished business with some of you, his friends. I am sorry to have to inform you that my father, Fred, has passed away. He made sure to tell me to be sure to notify all of you in the event of his passing. I cannot express my gratitude enough for the company that you all have kept with him these last years of his life. He spoke fondly of everything that he did with fellow enthusiasts, and because he lived in a isolated area, all of you were some of the closest friends that he had. I will miss him dearly, and I wish that we had gotten around to a little more of the training that he intended for me but with any luck perhaps I will have the time to learn some of his tricks from all of you. I will not be able to address the boards as often as he might have, but would like to get more familiar with all of you and, in time, find out if I have some of his craft.

If there is any unfinished business outstanding please notify me at david.p.arnold@gmail.com and if there is a way to settle it then I will try to do so.

osage outlaw:
My condolences for your loss. 

PEARL DRUMS:
Very, very hard to read this. My thoughts are with all of his family and close friends.

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