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ARKLEY, ROBERT JAMES, 82
ARKLEY, ROBERT JAMES, 82, of Moretown, passed away at the Starr Farm Nursing Center on September 20. Born in Burlington on June 3, 1930, he was the son of the late Floyd J. and Marion (Killam) Arkley. On Aug. 18, 1956, Bob married the former Marjorie Shonio in West Hartford, Conn. Bob was a graduate of Burlington High School and graduated from the University of Vermont in 1952 with his bachelor's degree in economics and psychology. He also attended George Washington University, Fayetteville University, and earned his master's in international relations of the Far East in 1973, from the University of Arizona. Bob had a long and distinguished military career that began in 1952, when he joined the U.S. Army. Having served in both the Korean War and Vietnam War, Bob was a member of the U.S. Army Rangers and Special Forces. His many awards included a Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, U.S. Army Air Medal for 25 combat missions, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and the Legion of Merit. Bob retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1975. Returning to Waterbury, he continued in his family's business, Waterbury Enterprises, and was a well-known entrepreneur, developer and Realtor in the central Vermont area. The National Assoc. of Realtors recognized him with the Distinguished Service Award, citing his commitment to development of low- to moderate-income housing, and commercial development, having built Waterbury's first shopping center and first industrial park. Bob was also a founding partner of VT Realty Exchange in Waterbury. Bob was a life member of the Harry N. Cutting American Legion Post 59 in Waterbury, VFW Post 792 of Montpelier, the DAV, Military Officers Assoc. Century Club, Airborne Association, the Special Forces Assoc. and the Special Forces Decade Club. Civic memberships included Waterbury Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, past president, director and member for 27 years of the Central VT Economic Development Corp., former commissioner of the Central VT Regional Planning Commission, served on the Presidents Council for the National Realtor Political Action Committee, a lifetime director and Hall of Fame member of the National Realtors Assoc., served as state president of the Vermont Realtors Assoc., former bank director and a member of Gov. Douglas' Veterans Advisory Council. Bob was a member of Winooski Lodge 49 F&AM, a 32nd degree member of the Scottish Rite and a member of the Waterbury Congregational Church. He enjoyed hunting in Newfoundland, fishing at the Lake Mansfield Trout Club, was a master gardener, and enjoyed meeting with friends at the Waterbury American Legion and having breakfast with "the boys" at the Park Row Restaurant in Waterbury. Bob is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marjorie Arkley, of Moretown; their children, Stephen Arkley and wife, Debra, of East Hampstead, N.H., and Deanna Johnson and husband, Walt, of Poquoson, Va.; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. Bob was predeceased by a brother, John Arkley.
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