Arnell Lee Engstrom

Arnell L. Engstrom passed away peacefully at home on October 9th, surrounded by his family. Arnell rose from humble beginnings as the son of a Michigan farmer to a professional engineering career that spanned the globe as an oil exploration geophysicist. After graduating Valedictorian of his high school class, he put himself through college at Michigan Tech University, his beloved alma mater, and had a 30-­‐year career exploring for oil with Mobil Oil Corporation (later ExxonMobil). Along the way, he traveled overseas from the southernmost point of Chile to the continent of Africa to Turkmenistan and Indonesia. He married the love of his life, Lidia, after meeting her on the beach of the Mediterranean Sea. Neither could speak the other’s language at first, but love found a way. Always athletic, he played basketball in school and continued to jog, play tennis and soccer as an adult, and had a competitive ping pong streak. He was a world class bridge player and taught his children to play chess. He continued to log hundreds of miles in walking for fitness well into his older age. He was a lifelong learner who read constantly and was knowledgeable in a myriad of diverse subjects such as astronomy, world cup soccer, history, economics, physics, and the US Civil War. His proudest accomplishment was his three children for whom he would do anything and who always looked up to and admired him in return. He later doted on his grandchildren with equal dedication.

Arnell is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Dolores Vernon. He is survived by his wife, Lidia, his children Dr. Gary (Jennifer) Engstrom, John (DonaLeigh) Engstrom, and Elaine (Greg) Taylor. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Emily and Ryan Engstrom and Shelby and Jessica Taylor, as well as his brother, Erland Engstrom, several nephews, nieces, and other extended family.

A celebration of Arnell’s life will be held at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Plano on Saturday, October 29 at 11:30 a.m. Due to construction, the service will take place in the gymnasium. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, jdrf.org, or to the cancer charity of your choice.