Montana Ambassador Arne Siegel passed away on June 23. A loss for West Yellowstone, and the state of Montana.

He was very helpful to me in the early days of my business, and as a fellow Montana Ambassador he motivated us all to be better Montanans, and better citizens of the world. The Yellowstone Historic Center and the West Yellowstone Foundation would not be what they are without Arne’s vision. His most recent passion was the Little Rangers Daycare, as well as a donation making a new mobile stage available for town events possible. West Yellowstone was always first in his love of Montana.

As an engineer Arne was involved in automotive crash test research; pioneered the use of children’s crash dummies; and even worked on research that led to children’s safety seats. The Society of Automotive Engineers named their safety award after him, and a humanitarian award after both he and his wife Steffi.

As a Montana Ambassador he joined with Pat Schneider to encourage membership in WIM – A World in Motion, and joined him in placing STEM kits in rural Montana schools. Thanks to Arne and Pat’s work, along with then President Jeff Laverdiere, hundreds of kits have been placed in Montana’s schools.

You always needed to set aside a few hours to get through a conversation with Arne, but that is because his passion, compassion, and generosity were real. West Yellowstone and Montana are better places because of his efforts. I will miss him.

Chris Burke

***

Arne and Steffi Siegel: Doing good, better

ome years ago, Arne and Steffi Siegel were on a backpacking trip. They ran out of food and were lost. The two began to worry. They continued to hike and came across a fence – they had two choices, left or right, but only one would take them toward someone or something that could help them. They chose right, and eventually came across an old building. It was in poor shape, but had been sealed well; there were few animal droppings inside, Arne said. It had a simple set up – a dry kitchen on one side, set of bunk beds on the other and a few chairs in the corner.

Dustin Jones

Full Story: https://www.wyellowstonestar.com/single-post/2017/05/27/Arne-and-Steffi-Siegel-Doing-good-better

***

I have further information for Arne Siegel’s Memorial Celebration and Contributions in honor of his Legacy in Montana​–​

Arne Siegel will be interned at a private, immediate family-only ceremony on July 8th in the morning hours.

On July 8th, in the afternoon from 2pm – 5pm there will be a memorial celebration for all to come. It will be at the Siegel’s West Yellowstone house.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the following is requested: WEST YELLOWSTONE FOUNDATION http://www.westyellowstonefoundation.org/ – please indicate which of Arne’s “interrupted” projects you would like your donation be sent.

1. Pre-K AWIM (A World In Motion)

2. Early Childhood School in West Yellowstone

3. West Yellowstone Artisan’s Gallery

4. Rocky Mountain AWIM (Initiative started in partnership with Montana Ambassadors), OPI and SAE International

THANK YOU so much!
Blessings.
Pat

Patricia A. Schneider
Consultant
RMAI / SAE International AWIM
248.561.4683
[email protected]