In Memory of Dale Arnink (May 31, 1938 – November 3, 2021)

Rev. Dr. Dale E. Arnink died on November 3, 2021, at the age of eighty-three.

Dale was born on May 31, 1938, in Clymer, NY to Floyd and Mildred Arnink. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Allegheny College, PA in 1962, following which he earned his Bachelor of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, NY in 1965.

While in high school, in the early 1950’s, Dale had decided that he would either be a minister or a teacher. From 1958 to 1962, while attending college, he became a Methodist student pastor. He enjoyed the parish ministry but at the same time became strongly attracted to the idea of teaching religion and philosophy at the college level. By his second year in seminary, his goal became exclusively teaching at the college level. For the academic years 1966 and 1967, Dale worked as an associate teacher in the department of religious studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. In 1970, he accepted a teaching position at the Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT where he taught Philosophy of Religion, World Religions, and Christianity and Culture. In 1971, he graduated with his Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion from Claremont Graduate School, CA.

Dale first became acquainted with Unitarian Universalism in 1971 in a local fellowship in Billings, MT. He started attending the fellowship regularly and was invited to present about ten programs a year. During this time, he also attended several Intermountain-Desert District Board meetings and workshops. He found these experiences to be positive. This limited form of ministry in the local fellowship awakened his old dreams of parish ministry. He realized that he could fulfill his old dreams in this denomination without commitment to a particular creed. He felt that Unitarianism could satisfy his concern of social activism and the development of a sense of community. The freedom from dogmatism in the Unitarian tradition fit his commitment to each individual’s search for personal faith. Thereafter, he came to a satisfying and constructive personal resolution, to integrate his prior attitudes with his current experiences and commit his energy positively as a UU minister.

Rev. Dr. Arnink was ordained on January 30, 1977, by the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, NM where he served from 1976 to 2000. His twenty-four years of ministry at the Los Alamos congregation were highly effective and responsive. He offered a wide variety of adult education programs and was very much involved in the church’s education program, conducting classes and discussion groups on such subjects as philosophy, the Bible, Unitarian Universalism, and men’s liberation, among others. He participated in the work of the R.E. Committee, by taking the lead in organizing the committee, attending R.E. conferences, visiting classes, serving as a sponsor for the LRY, and organizing family services. His worship included participatory activities such as meditation periods, and he introduced opportunities during worship for the congregation to share their experiences. Likewise, his sermons got the congregation involved and led to a lively discussion period. They also led to a significant increase in Sunday morning attendance.

Upon his retirement on June 30, 2000, the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos honored Rev. Dr. Arnink as their Minister emeritus. Following retirement, Rev. Dr. Arnink served as an interim minister at the UU Westside Congregation, Rio Rancho, NM (2005-2006). From 2006 to 2007, he served the Los Alamos congregation again as a contract minister.

In addition to his parish ministry, Rev. Dr. Arnink was President of the Mountain Desert Chapter of the UUMA and preached regularly at the Santa Fe and Albuquerque congregations.

Dale was idealistic and people oriented. He had a breadth of intellectual interests and social concerns. He participated in the local ministerial alliance and was President of the Los Alamos Humanities Council and the alcoholism council. He served on many important committees at the Rocky Mountain College which helped shape the direction of the college and brought about necessary reform. He was also a special advisor to the Black students on campus. In his leisure time, he enjoyed active sports such as skiing, tennis, backpacking, and jogging. He also enjoyed winemaking.

Dale’s sister Donna shared: “If nothing else, my brother was ‘cool’ (despite being a minister in my mind!). Mom loved telling everyone her son was a minister. ‘I “advertised” him as an actor!’ (The skill served him well behind the pulpit!). He had a profound effect on my life in so many ways…. especially the summers I lived with him and his former wife in NYC and CA. Wonderful memories… personal ones.”

Dale is survived by his brother, Jack Arnink, and his sister, Donna Arnink. His sons: Brian, Craig, and Scott Arnink; his grandchildren: Isaiah, Kyla, Kellen, Leland, Cade, Ethan, and Sidney. He was preceded in death by his second wife, Eva Montoya, and his son, Joel Arnink.

Dale was cremated, and his remains were scattered on Mount Pajarito with his wife and heart, Eva, who died 12 years ago.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the charity of one’s own choosing.