There is a new guy in Heaven and he arrived with his typical grin. He is no doubt enjoying a big reunion with family and friends who arrived before him. Arne Dahlen passed away peacefully on April 5, 2017 in Poulsbo, Washington. He left us just two months and a few weeks after his 101st birthday.

He was born on January 22, 1916 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho to Hartvig and Ingrid Dahlen and spent his childhood in Newport, Washington. On February 7, 1947, he married Charlotte Oberholser and together they raised three children. They spent their married life in Newport, Washington, Fair Oaks, California, and the Azores, Portugal. Their retirement years were in Colville and Poulsbo, Washington.

Arne served in WWII in the European and North African campaigns as a radio operator on B-17, B-24, and B-29 bombers. Most of his career was working as an aircraft precision measurements laboratory supervisor for the Air Force. After moving to Colville in 1972, he was briefly employed as a logging news reporter for The Statesman Examiner newspaper and then later established his stereo and audio repair shop upstairs at the House of Music.

Above all, he was a radio enthusiast; tuning in to shortwave broadcasts from all over the world, local AM and FM music and news, and radio talk shows. When it came to the music, he was a jazz aficionado and preferred listening to “jazz” over all other music. He attended many live performances by jazz artists and enjoyed listening to his favorite jazz tunes on radio broadcasts, CDs, vinyl, and tape recordings. He was fortunate to enjoy over 40 years of retirement. He loved spending time with his friends, immediate family, and church family, and especially his golf buddies.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte, son Maury, daughter, Jayme, and grandson, Adrian. His son, Stephen, preceded him in death. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in his honor be made to St. Paul Lutheran church in Colville.

A service will be held on at 11:00 am April 14 at the Danekas Funeral Chapel in Colville, Washington.