Good bye George - you played your part well!
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George Arndt
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FAREWELL: Thomians staunch and true - in those four words the life
and times of that lovable straight forward old boy of S. Thomas'
College, Mount Lavinia George Arndt can be described. Arndt who was once
the Head Prefect of S. Thomas' was captain, swimming, waterpolo and
life-saving at the school and he continued his interest after leaving
school and represented Ceylon (as the country was then known).
His death in Melbourne, Australia a few days ago somewhat shocked his
friends here in Sri Lanka, especially the ones who were close to him at
the Old Thomains Swimming Club where he was President for some time.
Besides representing S. Thomas' at swimming, waterpolo and
life-saving, he was picked to represent Ceylon in the first life-saving
team that participated in Australia.
George Arndt entered S. Thomas' in 1937 and started his 14-year
association with the school in Miss Bay's class. The Arndt association
with S. Thomas' goes back to Mutwal days and spans over 125 years.
Living in Mutwal was fun, mainly because his father was a lover of the
sea. Later the Arndt moved to Mount Lavinia to be close to the school by
the sea. George,, by this time was a champion in the pool.
He was appointed Head Prefect after J.O. Yatawara left college, but
his stint at the school was short as he left college to take up an
appointment in the private sector.
George one of the firsts to be chosen by the College Appointments
Board to be offered a job in the mercantile sector. He joined the
reputed Swis Firm, Volkart Brothers in June 1951 and later he moved to
Whittall and Company which renamed Whittal Boustread and he finally took
over as CEO of George Steuarts Limited.
Arndt was married to Sheila Drieberg who pre-deceased him. He is the
brother of Douglas who is in Sydney, the late Richard and Sredrick.
He was having a relaxed and retired life in Australia. He has been
coming to Sri Lanka on holidays and never failed to come to the Old
Thomians Swimming Club, where he has been President for quite some time.
George was a charming personality and all his friends are going to
miss him a great deal.
Good bye George, you played your part well!
A.C. de Silva
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