I feel so blessed to have been lucky in 2003 to move in next door to Buzz and Patti. They were the very best neighbors!

When it was time for the rotary car to come to their garage for storage my boys were always thrilled to get to check it out and sit inside!

We shared many meals and good times - (Buzz made an excellent Gin and tonic!)

No fence between the yards so I would often find my kids chatting with them in their garden - they helped me so much with my kids and always had a kind smile and parenting of boys advice.

Sending hugs to all that know exactly what I am talking about, they were the best people and so kind to all!

Ralph “Buzz” Arney was a devoted Everett Port Gardner Rotary Club member for nearly 30 years. Buzz, known for his humor, dry wit, and winning smile, was a true example of how to be a Rotarian. With nearly perfect attendance all those years, Buzz was also a dedicated volunteer. Buzz participated in our parks projects at Howarth, Legion, and the Firehouse #1 by Forest Park. Buzz volunteered to help install fire alarms with the Red Cross, served meals to athletes at the Special Olympics, and helped renovate homes for low-income households. Primarily, Buzz was an active volunteer for our annual classic car fundraiser, specifically at the Snohomish and Edmonds Car Shows. 

Alongside member Reid Shockey (with whom Buzz & Patty were dear friends), Buzz and Reid would challenge each other during the annual Apple Cup, each proudly wearing their team colors. Most impressive was how graciously Buzz would accept the losses, which were more frequent for the team in red. In 2015, the Rotary Club awarded Buzz a Paul Harris recognition award for his service in the military, one of more than five Paul Harris Awards he held. In 2019, the club developed a Ralph “Buzz” Arney Volunteer Service Award, for which Buzz was the first recipient. His dedication to Rotary was a lens to his love and caring for his family, dear wife Patty, and his sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. He leaves a legacy of gentle kindness that will long be remembered.

Buzz and I worked very closely together as fellow Rotarians at the Everett Port Gardner Rotary Club. On a number occasions, we worked very closely together on parks projects as well as he had I teamed up together to sell tickets at the Edmonds Car Show.  We would meet at about 9:00AM to set up and begin to sell at 10:00AM to about 4:00PM.  We were extremely busy but we had a blast working together. We were also customers of his at the pharmacy in Mill Creek.

Buzz was a class guy in every way,  He was a man who exhibited "Service Above Self" a Rotarian creed,  but most importantly, he loved the Lord in every way.   He has been away from the Everett Port Garner Rotary Club for a number of years and he is sorely missed by everyone who knew him.