Arbor D. Drinkwine, 60

Arbor D. Drinkwine, age 60, died Monday, Aug. 26, 2013, at his home in Constanta, Romania.

He was born April 20, 1953, in Eau Claire, Wis., 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, Minn., in 1971.

He then attained an associate of science degree at Rainy River Community College. Arbor continued at the University of Minnesota 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 United States Army in 1991 with over 21 years of service. His assignments included two with the United States 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 United States 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, Minn.

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, Wis., formerly of Mondovi, Wis.; sisters, Babette (Bob), Nicci (Denny), Christine (Kevin), and 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 brother-in-law, Chris Conroe.

A visitation took place from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, at Faith Lutheran Church, La Crosse, Wis.

A funeral service was conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, with an hour of visitation prior. Pastor Paul Mundinger officiated.

Burial followed at Rock Falls Cemetery, Town of Rock Creek, Dunn County, Wis. Pastor Paul Woebbeking from Zion Lutheran Church, Mondovi, Wis., officiated the commital service.

Condolences and memories may be shared with family at www.talbotfuneralhomes.com.

Talbot Family Funeral Homes of Cochrane-Alma-Mondovi, Wis., assisted the family with arrangements.