Norman Miles Arnell (9/22/1932 - 12/8/2021) passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family after a short illness. Norman was predeceased by his parents, Samuel and Dorothy Aronovsky. Born in St. Paul, Minn., Norman’s childhood was spent in various parts of the Midwest as his father, a professor, taught at several universities.
Norman graduated from the University of Chicago at age 18 and then the University of Illinois School of Law at age 21, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and the Law Review. After a brief stint in private practice in Chicago, he and his wife, Diane Mnookin Arnell, who he met at Illinois, moved to Diane’s hometown, Kansas City, where he practiced law for more than 50 years. He practiced first at Margolin & Kirwan and then at Morrison Hecker (later Stinson Morrison Hecker). He had an eclectic practice, centered primarily on representing family businesses and associated real estate transactions.
He was an active member of the American Bar Association’s Real Property, Probate and Trust Section, and, after his retirement, co-authored a chapter on durable powers of attorney in The ABA Practical Guide to Estate Planning. Norman was a longtime member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah and Oakwood Country Club; he also served for lengthy periods on the boards of Menorah Medical Center, the Menorah Medical Center Foundation, the United Way, the Jack and Helyn Miller Foundation and the Jewish Community Center.
Norman was an avid bridge player. He played golf for years, but it was an activity that he never mastered. After retirement, he joined ROMEOs.
In addition to his wife, Norman is survived by his three children: Steve, of Overland Park, Kan., Nate (Heidi Hellring), of Maplewood, N.J., and Lisa Clarke (JR Clarke), of Prairie Village, Kan., and five grandchildren: Nicole Arnell, of Los Angeles, Calif., Max Arnell (Kate Fetrow), of Brooklyn, N.Y., Jessie Arnell, of Washington, D.C., and Scott and Ian Clarke, both of Prairie Village.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to a charity of one’s own choosing. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be left at www.louismemorialchapel.com.
