Louis L. Arnold, 86, a master builder of bridges and roads and lifelong resident of Eau Claire, Wisconsin died on Monday, January 6, 2003 at Lakeside Nursing Home, Chippewa Falls. He was born in Chippewa Falls on October 18, 1916 the son of Louis G. and Miriam (Eastman) Arnold.\r\nLouis was confirmed at Christ Church Cathedral in 1928. He graduated from Eau Claire Senior High with the class of 1933. Louis then attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he studied engineering. In 1940, he married Doris Mitchell, the daughter of Dr. Roy and Emily Mitchell of Eau Claire.\r\nOn February 14, 1995 Louis married Olive Bryan of Eau Claire. They enjoyed traveling the western Wisconsin countryside. Olive was loving and dedicated to Louis.\r\nLouis's lifework was construction. During the first years of WWII he was involved in stateside defense construction projects for his father's Eau Claire based firm, L.G. Arnold, Inc. He then served as a sergeant with the US Army in World War II in Fairbanks, Alaska. After serving in the Army he resumed working for his father on rural electrification (REA) projects in southern Indiana. Louis continued his work at L.G. Arnold, Inc. as a bridge builder as well as various other positions including Vice President of Bridges. He loved to build bridges. He was involved in construction projects throughout the upper Midwest, including the Water Street Bridge in Eau Claire, WI, the DeSoto Memorial Bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Cloud, MN, Wisconsin River bridges at Lone Rock and Nekoosa, the Red Cedar River Bridge on I-94 near Menomonie, the Mirror Lake Bridge near Lake Delton and the Badger interchange overpasses near Madison on I-90/I-94. He also built the Illinois Tollway from Waukegan to the Wisconsin border as "practice" for building the original interstate highways in Wisconsin. After working for L.G. Arnold, Inc. he operated his own firm, Associated Builders, and was also employed by H.F. Radant of Eau Claire, where one of his assignments was grade foreman for the slopes of Silver Mine Hill Ski Jump. He later worked as an Operating Engineer with Local 139 on various construction projects throughout Wisconsin.\r\nHe was a past commander of American Legion Post 53 as well as a past vice president of the Wisconsin Road Builders Association. Louis was a member of Eau Claire Lodge #112 F&AM and a 32nd degree mason; a retired member of the Operating Engineers Local 139; an active member of the Arboretum Club; and supporter of the Eau Claire Ski Club.\r\nIn his retirement he enjoyed reminiscing about past construction projects with fellow retired Local 139 members at their picnics and other functions.\r\nHe is survived by his wife, Olive; four children, Louis G. (Mary Jo) of Columbus, OH, Richard (Rochelle) of Eau Claire, Dean of Chicago, IL, Barbara of Edina, MN and their mother and his first wife of 40 years Doris Losby of Eau Claire; sister, Miriam Carr of Eau Claire; and many nieces and nephews.\r\nLouis was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Melissa Arnold; two brothers, Charles and Jack; and two sisters, Amy Griffin and Marjorie Arnold.\r\nLouis will be remembered for his remarkable sense of humor, his tenacity for causes he believed in, and his determination to live. He survived many major surgeries. In his later years, when he could no longer drive, he independently transported himself throughout Eau Claire on a motorized scooter with a slow-moving vehicle sign. He was usually speeding.\r\nFuneral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, January 11, 2003 at Christ Church Cathedral-Episcopal with the Very Rev. H. Scott Kirby officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery where American Legion Post #53 will conduct military rites. Family and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and an hour prior to services Saturday at the church. There will be a Masonic Service at the funeral home on Friday at 7 p.m. \r\nFamily wishes memorials be directed to the Eau Claire YMCA Camp Manitou or Christ Church Cathedral.

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