Obituary of Arnold Monsted Nielsen

. . Dr. Arnold M. Nielsen of Cullowhee went to be with our Lord on December 28 after a courageous battle with an aggressive cancer. He was born April 14, 1932 and grew up in Fortuna, California with parents Frederick and Maren Nielsen (both deceased), older sisters Marie of Chico, CA and Lily of Brookfield, WI, and older brother Harold of Silverton, OR. Arnold married Margaret (Marge) Burnette (deceased) in 1954. They spent their early years in Chico, CA, where they had two children: Frederick (Rick), now living in Dahlonega, GA, with wife Debbie, and Byron (Ron), now living in Niceville, FL, with wife Betsy. The family moved from California to Cullowhee, NC in 1970. Arnold, a widower upon the death of Marge in 1999, married Yvonne Noland Saddler in 2000. Arnold is also survived by stepchildren Larry Saddler of Houston, TX, with wife Pam and their children Brennan and Justin, and Toni Saddler-French of Hockessin, DE, with husband Keith and son Daniel. Arnold was devoted to his family. He was primary caregiver to Marge who suffered from Alzheimer's for several years until her death, and to Yvonne, also suffering from Alzheimer's. This faithful dedication and devotion to his marriage vows were hallmarks of his life, as were the legacies of integrity, self-improvement, hard work, and Christian living that he passed on to his sons and their children: Christin, Matt, Kathy, Joel, and Jonathan. After serving in the Navy as an aircraft crew member, Arnold earned his degree at Chico State College and began his lifelong profession of teacher, improving lives in so many ways. He taught junior high school and high school, then earned his doctorate and served as a professor of Industrial Engineering and Technology at Western Carolina University, from 1970 to 1989. He developed the curriculum in plastics and was a consultant to the regional plastics industry. He travelled to Swaziland to develop a relationship between Swazi higher education and the North Carolina University system. He retired with the title, Professor Emeritus, in recognition of his impact. After retiring, his volunteer work included teaching adults to read and song leading at the Senior Center. Arnold touched so many lives, providing profound examples of true commitment, devotion, and love. He made the world a better place. "Well done, good and faithful servant". The Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 7 at 2 pm at the Cullowhee United Methodist Church. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Cancer Society. Appalachian Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements