Marshall Allen Arbo

Marshall Allen Arbo

Marshall Allen Arbo, DDS, FACFEI, age 77, went to be with Jesus on Aug. 24, 2017, after a 10 year courageous battle with lymphoma. He passed away in his home near Bonners Ferry, Idaho, while in the arms of his loving wife, Suzanne R. Arbo.

Marshall was born Oct. 4, 1939, in Hampden, Maine, to Arthur W. and Imelda R. (Lozier) Arbo. The third of four sons born to the couple, he grew up in Cumberland Center, Maine. His boyhood was spent exploring the woods and creeks of the area with his three brothers. As a young adult Marshall worked with his father in the concrete business learning all aspects of the trade. From his father he acquired the attributes of working hard and being responsible for his actions. These skills stayed with Marshall throughout his life. He was blessed in his life with sons Arthur Allen Arbo and Andrew Paul Arbo, step-son Chris Dunn, step-son Jason Leno, and step-daughter Renee’ (LaMarsh) Rink.

By age 19, Marshall had obtained his Engineering degree in Civil and Highway Engineering Technology at Wentworth Institute in Boston, Mass. He worked in engineering for two years with the Connecticut Highway Department and as a metallurgy research technologist with the Electric Boat Company. Marshall realized that his passion was not in engineering but in the medical field. He attended Atlantic Union College for postgraduate studies then entered Loma Linda University School of Dentistry where he obtained a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1968.

Marshall taught restorative dentistry and endodontics at the State of New York University School of Dentistry at Buffalo from 1968-1969. He then began private practice in 1969 in Barre, Vermont, specializing in endodontics. In early 1970s, he taught graduate endodontic courses at Harvard Dental School Forsyth Dental Clinic. He continued in private practice in Vermont through the 1970s.

Marshall joined his father in West Point, Calif., where his father had a gold mine. There, Marshall designed a rock crusher to separate the gold from quartz crystals. This was the beginning of Marshall’s lifelong gold mining adventures.

Marshall and family moved to Arizona where his brother lived. While there, Marshall fell in love with flying airplanes. He became a pilot, and he and his brother, Paul, rebuilt and flew a World War II Beach 18 twin engine aircraft. He eventually obtained his commercial pilot’s license, flying for Eastern Airlines when he returned to Vermont while continuing to practice dentistry. Throughout his life he owned four private airplanes and even flew across the U.S. in one. Later, when Marshall moved to Idaho, he was able to fulfill his ultimate dream of building and flying his own experimental plane.

Marshall was talented in so many ways, there seemed to be nothing that he could not accomplish. He earned his Eagle Scout designation in 1957, became a professional photographer, certified flight instructor and certified SCUBA diver. He built and remodeled homes for himself or family members. He also practiced Tae Kwon Do earning his 2nd degree black belt and eventually opened his own Tae Kwon Do Academy in East Randolph, Vermont.

In 1998, he met and fell in love with his future wife, Suzanne, who lived in Bonners Ferry with her 9 year old daughter, Renee’. Marshall left his home and practice in Vermont and moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to marry Suzanne in March, 1999, and become ‘Dad’ to Renee’. He opened his dental practice in the Community Restorium building in May, 1999. Marshall and Suzanne worked side by side with Suzanne running the office. After 10 years, they moved the office into their home on the Westside Road where Marshall continued to practice until 2016 when his health required him to retire.

Marshall will always be remembered for his wonderful smile, his kindness, his love of dentistry and helping his patients, his willingness to help others, his sense of humor and practical jokes, especially “Cousin Vinny”, and his love for his wife and family. All who knew Marshall will remember how he responded when asked how was he doing: “Mean, ornery and cantankerous, and those are my good points!” Above all else, Marshall will always be remembered for his unwavering faith and love for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Marshall is survived by his wife, Suzanne R. Arbo, son Andrew P. Arbo, step-daughter Renee’ (Colt) Rink, step-son Jason (Maria) Leno, brothers Paul (Shigeko) Arbo and Richard (Kieth) Arbo, numerous, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents Arthur W. and Imelda Arbo, his son Arthur A. Arbo, brother Robert Arbo and step-son Chris Dunn.

His family would like to give a huge “thank you” to Bonner General Hospice staff and volunteers, North Idaho Pain Center, Boundary Community Hospital, Kootenai Cancer Center, and the many, many doctors, nurses and staff who selflessly gave of themselves to care for Marshall and his family).

A memorial service for Marshall will be held on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 at 2 p.m. at the Mountain Springs Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. All who wish to attend are welcome.