This obituary was lovingly written and submitted by the family.

 

After an extended fight with service-related ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Brian Richard Arsenault passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, November 25, 2021.

 

He is survived by his wife Miyoko, sons George and Mark, grandchildren Matthew and Michael; and brothers Jeff and Craig and sister Sharon. He was preceded in death by his sister Melanie and his parents.

 

Brian was born in Stillwater, Minnesota on August 6, 1936 to George and Lulu Arsenault.

 

Brian spent many years of his adult life serving in the United States Army. He retired with 30 years as a helicopter pilot. He attained the rank of CW4, earned his Master Aviator Wings, and was awarded the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal and 16 Air Medals. The family moved often while he was in the service. After he retired, he and Miyoko settled in Enterprise, Alabama, where he spent an additional number of years as a civilian instructor pilot for the Army. 

 

Brian enjoyed building and flying RC model airplanes.  While growing up, Brian’s sons remember helping him not only building the planes, but flying them and crashing many of them!  

 

Brian also enjoyed fishing. While flying with the Army in Alaska and Alabama, he constantly looked for lakes and ponds for his next fishing adventure. Many times, if no one else would go fishing with him, Brain loaded his long, square stern canoe on top of his full-sized van and went. While in Alaska, he and Miyoko would often go salmon fishing. When home they would spend hours canning their catch. Their sons remember a plentiful supply of canned salmon for many many years after they left Alaska.

 

Until Brian was unable to walk and dance, he and Miyoko enjoyed ballroom dancing. They were a very active couple.

 

At this time, we will not gather extended family and friends from their various States of residence.  We do ask you take a few moments to reflect on your relationship with Brian, how you met him, and the times you enjoyed his company. If you would like to write a couple of those thoughts for others to share as well, feel free to make online condolences and memories at www.donaldsonfuneralhomes.com.

Remembering the good times spent together brings comfort for us all, if not a bit of laughter, while honoring his life.

 

Instead of flowers or other items, please make a donation to the ALS foundation in Brian’s name at (https://donate.als.org).