Arnold E. Droge of Bainbridge Island passed away on May 5, 2015 from complications from a fall. He was 84.

Arnie, as his friends knew him, was born April 4, 1931 in Milan, Indiana. He was the youngest of three boys born to John and Martha Droge. At 6-foot-6, he was surprisingly the shortest of the three and the only one to play basketball. He led the Milan High School team to win the county championship and earned a basketball scholarship from Kansas State University. He was on the Wildcats’ roster as a “redshirt” his freshman year as the team played in the 1951 NCAA Championship game.

Arnie enlisted in the Army during the Korean War.

While stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, he went on a blind date with Janet Page, a student at Stephens College. Shortly after they met, Arnie was shipped off to Germany where he served as a radio man. The two were married in 1957.

Arnie applied for graduate school in places where the newlyweds would want to live. They chose the University of Oregon in Eugene.

Arnie enjoyed a fulfilling career working with juvenile delinquents and had a positive impact on countless lives.

His work took him — along with his wife and sons Daniel and Peter — from Oregon to Minnesota, Illinois and South Dakota.

In 1977 he accepted a job offer from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services and the family settled on Bainbridge Island. In 2014 Arnie and Jan moved down the road to Poulsbo.

Arnie and Jan shared a love of life, music and travel.

They were married just one month shy of 58 years.

Arnie is survived by his wife, Janet Droge; sons Daniel (wife Doneva) and Peter (wife Elaine); two grandchildren, William and Destany; Nieces Martha and Kathy; Nephews Mark and David. He was preceded in death by his brother John and his mother and father. His brother Dolf passed away five days after Arnie.

Per his request there will be a small family service.

Cards and letters can be sent to PO Box 32, Vashon, WA 98070.