Horseman Robert S. (Bob) Arnold, 58, a trainer-driver who competed for many years at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, passed away recently while awaiting a kidney transplant
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Arnold last competed on the racetrack in 2010, but was forced to forego his hobby and love of training and driving duties because of ill health.
“Bob Arnold was one of those rare individuals that stared at adversity every waking day and laughed in its face,” said Hall Of Famer John Berry, Assistant Race Secretary at Pompano Park. "He fought such a courageous fight in the midst of us all with such determination and a positive outlook. He redefined the meaning of courage. I'm sure being around the horses kept him going much longer than the doctors thought he would be able to."
Arnold basked in the glory of the winner’s circle on 58 occasions during his career -- half of them in 1984 -- and, in recent years, competed in Florida Amateur Driving Club events, something that was very close to his heart. He once stated: “...we have such a wonderful group of amateur drivers that donate their driver’s fees to charity and give harness racing the great image it deserves. It is an honour to be in their midst on the racetrack.”
Ironcially, the last win of his life was at 70-1, but really Bob Arnold faced double-digit odds much of his life. As an infant, he was diagnosed with melanoma and given radiation treatments and, as a teenager, it was discovered he had diabetes. Two heart by-pass surgeries were also in his history, but his most amazing health story came in the form of a 1996 Christmas present from his wife Renee, who was found to be a match when Bob needed a life-saving kidney transplant. The story of Renee donating a kidney to her husband received widespread mainstream media coverage in South Florida.
“Talk about long odds, Bob faced odds of a million to one or more,” said Berry, “and for the final 16 years of his life he won. He was that special individual who made our problems seem small.”
Bob Arnold is survived by his wife, Renee, as well as a daughter, Nicole, a son, Michael and two grandchildren, Tessa and Jaxson. Services are to be held Saturday, April 28 at the Scoobie-Combes-Bowden Funeral Home in Boynton Beach, Florida. For further information, you may call 561-732-8151.
(Pompano Park / Photo provided by John Berry)