Time period/Baraboo: 1922 – 2005

Submitted by: Jacob Boll

Certain people become synonymous with a place. Harold “Rube” Arndt was one of these people. Rube Arndt was a successful and inspiring teacher for 30 years, twenty-four of which were in Baraboo, his hometown. An example of a hometown boy whose roots brought him back, Rube always felt privileged to have had an opportunity to be a part of the Baraboo community for so long. He was a successful athlete, becoming one of the first recipients of the coveted athletic Gold B award when he graduated in 1940. Before returning to his beloved Baraboo, Rube served as part of the U.S. Army’s operations in the European theater during WWII. After meeting and courting Regina Amend at the Chateau at Devil’s Lake, he married her in 1945 and graduated from UW-Whitewater in 1949. Rube returned to his alma mater and taught business education for 24 years. Rube was especially close to his friend, colleague and fellow baseball coach, Harry SaLoutos. 

Rube Arndt was an intrinsic and colorful piece of the fabric of Baraboo. He could be heard singing loudly at St. Joseph’s Catholic mass, and he loved dancing with his beloved bride of 60 years and playing cards with the boys. He was an active member of the Baraboo Elks, American Legion Post 26, the Knights of Columbus, and the Sauk County Retired Teachers Association. He also was a long time volunteer at the Circus World Museum.