Arnold Chris Carl Paulsen, 94, of Greenbank, WA passed away peacefully in his home on July 27, 2017. He was the husband of the late Betty Ann (Heller) Paulsen, married on April 27, 1956.

Arnold was born on July 27, 1923 to John H. Paulsen and Augusta (Ehlers) in Columbus, NE. He was drafted into the United States Army on May 19, 1945 and served in Fort Leavenworth, KS and was deployed to Germany during WWII where he served as an Ambulance Driver for the 510th Medical Collecting Co. He was awarded the World War II Victory Ribbon and Army Occupation Medal (Germany) and was honorably discharged 30 September 1946.

Shortly after returning home to Nebraska, Arnold and his new bride moved to Seattle, WA to work for Boeing, then later with Seattle Bronze where he was a part of a team that worked on the Bubbleator (bubble-shaped elevator) in the Center House and parts of the Space Needle for the 1965 World’s Fair. He moved on to work for a startup company, Genie Industries, in 1966 and retiring in 1988. Upon retiring he moved to Greenbank on Whidbey Island to a home and shop lovingly built by himself with the help of family. He never really retired as he loved puttering in his shop creating inventions or gifts for family members and fishing in the Puget Sound.

Arnold was a loving father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He is survived by his daughters Nancy Selix (Brian), Linda Lutch (John), and son Karl Paulsen; grandchildren Christopher, Joseph, Timothy, Andrea (Eric), Mark (Kim), Robert (Erin), Elizabeth (Nathan), Michael, Samantha (Anthony), and Beth Ann; great grandchildren Lucas and Madeline, Marlee and Sayda; sisters Betty Wullschleger (Raymond) and Nadine Magsamen (Kenneth); brother-in-law Kenneth Christiansen and numerous nieces and nephews.

We will all dearly miss Arnold; he loved sharing stories of his life, playing poker, watching Cornhusker football, but most of all he loved being surrounded by his family.

Graveside services will be held at Bayview Cemetery in Bayview Washington August 13, 2017 at 11:00am. A celebration of life will follow at the American Legion Post # 141 14096 WA State Route-525, Langley, WA 98260.

Affiliations

Army
Army of Occupation Medal
WWII Victory Medal