Arbor D. Drinkwine

Arbor D. Drinkwine, age 60, died August 26, 2013 at his home in Constanta, Romania. He was born April 20, 1953 in Eau Claire, WI to Arbor E. and Lena E. (Beckman) Drinkwine. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Arbor graduated from Falls Senior High School in International Falls, MN in 1971. He then attained an Associate of Science Degree at Rainy River Community College. Arbor continued at UM Duluth with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, and completed his education with a Master of Science Degree in Chemistry at North Dakota State University. Arbor pursued his career at the Midwest Research Institute in Kansas City as an Analytical Biochemist for 13 years. Arbor was quite accomplished in his field, having multiple publications, presentations, and patents. He was also a Mathematics Instructor at a university in Kansas City. Arbor later became a civil servant for the U.S. Army in 1991 with over 21 years of service. His assignments included two with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Kansas City and Europe (Wiesbaden, Germany) Districts culminating with six years in Constanta, Romania for the Black Sea Area Support Team and U.S. Army Europe. Highlights include one deployment to Turkey and two deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Throughout his many years abroad, Arbor always held a fondness for his childhood hometown of International Falls, MN. His carefree passions were reading, rebuilding old cars, such as MG and Triumph sports cars, and playing classical guitar. He shared his enjoyment of reading science fiction/fantasy novels, and he played his guitar for his friends and family wherever he went. Arbor will be dearly missed by his mother Lena E. Drinkwine of La Crosse, WI formerly of Mondovi, WI, sisters Babette (Bob), Nicci (Denny), Christine (Kevin), Sharon (Arnie); son Mathew, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Arbor W. and Xelpha (Nelson) Drinkwine; and Otto and Mary (Pingle) Beckman. His father Arbor E. Drinkwine, and brotherin- law Chris Conroe. A visitation will be at Faith Lutheran Church in La Crosse, WI on Monday, September 9, at 5:00PM to 7:00PM. A funeral service will be on Tuesday, September 10, at 11:00AM with an hour of visitation prior. Pastor Paul Mundinger will officiate. Burial will follow at Rock Falls Cemetery, Town of Rock Creek, Dunn County, WI. Pastor Paul Woebbeking from Zion Lutheran Church in Mondovi, WI will officiate the commital service. Condolences and memories may be shared with family at www.talbotfuneralhomes.com. Talbot Family Funeral Homes of Cochrane-Alma-Mondovi, WI assisted the family with arrangements.