1923-2011
Raymond A. Arand was a founding member of the Union R-XI Foundation and served as the group’s treasurer from its incorporation in 1985 until he passed the reins to Dale Schmuke, who was also his successor as the United Bank of Union president.
As the chief financial officer of the Foundation until 2009, Arand was the person primarily responsible for the organization’s early successes financially and he laid a path forward that has meant continual growth and stability for the nonprofit, even in times of national economic uncertainty. Because Ray Arand managed Foundation accounts carefully and strategically over two decades, the group is now able to fund over $50,000 in scholarships a year (in 2018, total scholarship awards throughout Foundation history topped a half million dollars!) and has always had the resources to continue its annual classroom grant program to help teachers fund innovative learning projects for their students.
Ray Arand, a great civic leader in the Union community, passed away in April 2011. For a more detailed study of his life and work, please read the following excerpt from his obituary in the Missourian (retrieved from Ancestry.com on May 4, 2019 at https://www.ancestry.com/boards/localities.northam.usa.states.missouri.counties.franklin/27041/mb.ashx. We reprint the following information in honor of Raymond A. Arand and his decades-long work on behalf of the schoolchildren of Union.
“Raymond August Arand, 87, Union, passed away Saturday, April 16, 2011, at his home.
Mr. Arand was born July 15, 1923, in Washington, the son of the late Christopher Arand and wife Rose, nee Dieckmann.
He received his education in Union and graduated in 1941 from Union High School.
Mr. Arand served his country in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946 and obtained the rank of captain. He received several honors including four Bronze Stars, a Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart.
He was united in marriage to Juanita Jones in August 1946 at Immaculate Conception Church, Union. They made their home in Union and eight children were born to this marriage.
Mr. Arand had been employed in banking. He started at Citizens Bank, Gerald, from 1941 through 1943. After returning from the war, Mr. Arand joined United Bank of Union in 1947. He obtained the title of bank president in 1978 until his retirement in 1993. He currently was serving on the bank board.
Mr. Arand was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, the Knights of Columbus and was a fourth-degree Knight, Rotary Club, Lions Club, American Legion Post 297 and the Moose. He was a founding member and first treasurer of the Union R-XI Foundation for several decades. He served on the East Central College Board of Trustees and Union Jaycees.
Mr. Arand was the first recipient of the Union Distinguished Service Award for his many service endeavors.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Christopher and Rose Arand; one daughter, Monica Eberhart on Oct. 2, 2010; and one brother, Christopher Arand.
He is survived by his wife, Juanita Arand, Union; five sons, Greg Arand and wife Debbie, Kevin Arand and wife Ruthie, David Arand and wife Dinah and Paul Arand and wife Jo, all of Union, and Chris Arand and wife Laura, Washington; two daughters, Maureen Jett and husband James, Denver, Colo., and Corliss Panis and husband Ron, Kansas City; 26 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Barb Jeffs and husband Bob and Angela Peirick, all of Union; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends.
A funeral Mass was held Wednesday, April 20, at Immaculate Conception Church, Union, with Monsignor Matthew Mitas officiating. Interment with full military honors in the church cemetery followed. The family was served by Oltmann Funeral Home, Union.”