Marvin G. Arend

Jan 24, 1938 -

Jan 6, 2026

Longtime Alaskan Marvin G. Arend passed away Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026.

Born on Jan. 24, 1938, in Denver, Colo., he was the son of Eric and Estelle Arend. He was the first born of three children, followed by brother David and sister Gwen; both preceded him in death.

After working on a ranch for three years, Marv entered Navy boot camp on his 17th birthday. During his four-year tenure of exceptional advancement, he married his wife of 68 years, Gail Elaine Matthews of Pueblo, Colo. He was the father of six, grandfather of 12, and great-grandfather of three.

Marv lived a very full and active life. After the Navy, Marv went to work for Mountain Bell in Colorado for seven years, then moved to Alaska in 1966. In 1959, Mav and Gail had their first child, son Michael G. Arend, followed every couple of years by James E Arend, Kristi E Arend, Gregory M Arend, Vicki M. Arend (Folkerts) and Cindy K Arend (Callaham).

Alaska was heaven for him and his friends, still wild and free. He loved hunting and fishing and running the rivers. Then he started flying. He got his private pilot's license, then his instrument rating as well as his commercial rating, more as a hobby for the latter two. Marv worked for MTA for a year in 1966, then went to work for ATU for 30 years. During that time, he worked in several different trade classifications. He also served as the Shop Steward for seven years. As a business representative, he was many negotiating committees, served on the Pension Trust and on the Executive Board of the IBEW 1547.

A Google search of Marv will find that he was also an inventor. He designed and implemented a city-wide pay station system that led ATU to be the first telephone utility in the entire country to be 100% compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

All who met Marv were inspired by his "get-r-done" attitude. He was a doer; he got things done. Marv always wanted to learn more and understand everything. He was never satisfied with the amount of knowledge he accumulated. He was an avid reader who read about every subject. Marv will be missed by many and remembered by all.

Celebration of Life to be announced at a later date.