Norman J. Arnold, the namesake of the Arnold School of Public Health and a prominent local businessman, died Tuesday at the age of 86. A lifelong South Carolinian, Arnold donated millions of dollars over the years to the School of Public Health and various research endeavors at the university.
In a statement, University President Harris Pastides referenced his personal connection to Arnold from his time serving as dean of the School of Public Health.
"Over the years, his passion for improving the health of all people never waned," he said. "We have lost one of the true 'greats,' but his and Gerry Sue Arnold's efforts will continue to have impact."
Current Arnold School Dean Thomas Chandler also expressed his condolences in a statement.
"In those seven years of visiting their home, I never left without Norman and Gerry Sue asking me, 'What more can I do to help you Tom? What more does the School need?' I doubt I will ever meet another more generous and caring human being than Norman J. Arnold," he wrote. "I am truly blessed to have known his example firsthand, his friendship and especially his frequent encouragements. He was so very proud of his school."
In addition to his work on public health at USC, Arnold also chaired the Richland County Heart Fund, served on the boards of Providence Hospital and the Medical University of South Carolina Cardiovascular Institute for Research and Prevention and opened the first Boys Club in South Carolina.
He was inspired to get involved in public health by his father's death at a young age from a heart attack, and he himself survived a pancreatic cancer scare in 1982.
Arnold is survived by his wife of more than 50 years and partner in many of his projects, Gerry Sue, as well as their three sons.