Edwin A. Arnfield

Edwin Arthur (Johnson) Arnfield

He was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts at Lawrence Municipal Hospital on February 12, 1934, son of Dorothy Alice Johnson who died from Puerperal Septicemia (child bed fever) 11 days after giving birth. Adopted by Ethel May Johnson Arnfield and her husband Herbert Gerald Arnfield of Detroit, Michigan.

Edwin attended James B. Angell Elementary School and Cass Technical High School where he graduated in 1952, majoring there in the chemical/biological curriculum.  He attended Wayne State University with 3 degrees: BA Biology, M. Ed. Science Education, and MS Biology. He attended on National Science Scholarship, The Ohio State University to be awarded Ph.D. (jointly) in Biology and Science Education in 1964.

He worked in the laboratory of K.C. Jones Plating Company. While there, that company plated parts of the 1958 Vanguard Satellite which was the first US satellite to orbit earth on years after the Russian Sputnik Satellite. Edwin taught every grade but kindergarten in public school until leaving Warren High School in Warren, Michigan in 1965 to attend OSU. He worked as a Research Associate teaching in the medical school. Edwin taught for 32 years at Macomb Community College, Wayne State University, Oakland University, Cornell University Shoals Marine Biological Station, University of New Hampshire, both on the Isle of Shoals 20 miles outside of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He also taught at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Northern Illinois University, and Central Michigan University.

Edwin is the author of 4 books, his last written with his late wife Constance Joan O’Connell Arnfield. He was united in marriage to Constance J. O’Connell on May 12, 1990; dedicated to their love for 27 years until her death in 2016.

Edwin was a member of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Northport, Michigan. He served on the board of trustees of the Northport Community Arts Center (now known as the Northport Performing Arts Center) and the Leelanau Conservancy as a docent. Edwin was the past President and served on the board of trustees of the Northport Schools and was an active member of the Democratic Party.

Edwin was a distinguished author and avid reader. He was fascinated with World War II and learning about the history of wars. He was a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Edwin enjoyed gardening, building model airplanes, and woodworking. He also enjoyed travelling to the East coast, as well as London, England. Among other favorite adventures were his travels out West for research. Edwin was musically gifted since childhood. He played the piano, sang in the choir at The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, and listened to his favorite composer and pianist, Gershwin. Edwin adored his furry companions, his treasured Sheltie dogs.

He is survived by his children, Linda (Perry) Brumm, Laurel (David) Frogner, and Matthew (Nancy) Maddock; his stepson, Ronald (Donna) McEachern; his stepson-in-law, Thomas Polony; his grandchildren, Rachel (Jason) Land, Charlotte (Matthew) Kufahl, Sarah Brumm, Erica (Devon) Jankowski, Madeline Frogner, Kristen Frogner, Linden McEachern, and James Polony; his great grandchildren Mason and Owen Kufahl; and his dear companion Judy Brinker. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his stepdaughter Cathleen Polony, and his granddaughter Brittany Polony.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 4800 Woodward Ave., Detroit, Michigan. Father Scott Hunter will officiate the service. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 11am, with a time of gathering from 10am until 11am, at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 701 N. Warren St., Northport, MI 49670.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Macomb Community College Foundation – Student Immediate Relief Fund , 14500 E. 12 Mile Road, CS-221, Warren, MI 48088-3896 or to the Leelanau Conservancy , 105 North First Street, Leland, MI 49654.

Watch the service here https://www.youtube.com/c/CathedralChurchofStPaulDetroit