Heinz E. Arndt, 84, a longtime resident of the Gaston community, died Wednesday morning, September 30, 2020 at his home. Private Cremation Rites will be held at the Hoyt Crematory in Forest Grove. HEINZ ERWIN ARNDT was born May 10, 1936 in Germany, the son of the late Eduard Arndt and Berta (Lupke) Arndt. He was raised and received his education in Germany. In the late winter of 1945, Heinz and his family fled on foot across Germany. With nothing but the clothes on their backs, Heinz, his mother, and siblings stayed in front of the advancing Soviet Army before finding refuge in what soon became West Germany. For nearly ten years, Heinz and his family sought to pursue their dream to come to the United States, finally receiving sponsorship through their church in 1956. On June 21st, 1956 he and some of his family immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island, New York. They then took the train to Oregon, settling in Portland. Heinz served one enlistment in the United States Army, having received his honorable discharge from the Army Reserves on November 30, 1965. He served in an artillery regiment. Heinz was united in marriage to Darlene F. Haynes on July 4, 1974 in the Visitation Catholic Church in Verboort, Oregon. They celebrated their 46th Wedding Anniversary this past July. Following their marriage, they resided in the Tigard community briefly, until 1975 when they moved to their farm in Gaston, where they have resided since. After moving to Portland, he worked for several years as a handyman and then as a shoemaker in the old Meier and Frank store in downtown Portland. He later worked for NAPCO Scientific Company in Tualatin for several years, before working as an assembler for Parks Medical Manufacturing Company in Aloha. Heinz worked for the company for many years, until he retired at the age of sixty-two. Among his special interests, Heinz raised beef cows, water lilies, koi and goldfish on his acreage. He had a green thumb and loved landscaping and gardening. Heinz also liked to visit garage sales and auctions. He had a special love for his family, especially his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eduard and Berta Arndt and his ten brothers and sisters. Survivors include his wife, Darlene Arndt, of the family home in Gaston, Oregon; his son, David Arndt, of Gaston, Oregon and his daughter and son-in-law, Heidi and Matthew Smith of Forest Grove, Oregon. Also surviving are his three granddaughters, Madilyn, Kalina and Katelyn Smith all of Forest Grove, Oregon. To sign the online guest book or to send a condolence to the family go to www.fuitenrosehoyt.com.