Spotlight on Volunteers By Terri L. Okazaki, C.P.M. Board Director
June's Interview Richard Arhlen Honorary Member

“A picture is worth a thousand words.”

35mm Film Camera $249.99
35mm Color Print Film $3.99
One-hour Processing $7.99
NAPM Photographer, Richard Arhlen Priceless

This month’s “Spotlight on Volunteers” article features honorary member Richard Arhlen, NAPM-Orange County’s priceless photographer. In case you don’t know him, Richard is the gentle man often seen standing by his wife Sara’s side.

Richard began his “volunteer” career for our affiliate in 1980, and was conferred as an honorary member of NAPM-Orange County and Inland Empire and California Association of Public Purchasing Officers (CAPPO) in 1982. Since 1980 Richard has given the invocation and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance at monthly dinner meetings, June Forums, and numerous other occasions, and has taken hundreds of pictures, capturing precious moments for our affiliate.

Richard’s “other” career began with the Santa Fe Railroad in San Bernardino where he was a repairman. From there he applied for a civil service position with the American Air Force and was in the top ten out of over 500 applicants. He worked at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino where he trained as a Quality Assurance Specialist and also traveled throughout the United States teaching classes in his trade. He earned a Certificate in Aircraft Radio and Radar Mechanics, and received the Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) Award for his contributions to the success of the first international manned space mission, July 15-24, 1975; American Crew Stafford, Brand, Slayton and Russian Crew: Neohob, Kygacob.

On the personal side, Richard has been married to Sara for 51 years (52 years on July 10). They have two children, Tim and Cris and a grand-dog named Rosie. Tim lives with his wife Karen in Bullhead City, AZ and Cris lives with her husband Rex in Orange, CA. The Arhlens have resided in Orange since 1966, moving there from Fontana. In addition to photography, Richard’s hobbies include a love of trains and singing. As a youngster, he and his father would go to the Santa Fe Railroad station just to watch the trains. And he sang as a baritone soloist at the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Pomona for 25 years.

Rumor has it Richard will join Sara and “retire” from NAPM-Orange County at the end of June. On behalf of NAPM-Orange County, I would like to say, “thank-you” for all the years of support and love.
No one is a better story teller or a more patient computer trainer. Richard, you will be missed, but NEVER forgotten.