BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — In Loving Memory of Arvid Lee Unruh
Arvid Lee Unruh, age 82, beloved husband, father, grandfather, veteran, coach, and friend, passed peacefully on Sept. 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. A gentle, kind, and honest man, Arvid dedicated his life to serving others and had a deep love for the Lord.
Born on April 15, 1943, to Virgil and Ruth (Polson) Unruh at St. Rose Hospital in Great Bend, Kan., Arvid was raised in Pawnee Rock and Larned, Kan. He cherished his childhood days on the farm, spending time with his cousins, fishing, hunting, and playing with his dog, King. A talented athlete, Arvid graduated from Larned High School in 1961, where he excelled in basketball and football, and discovered his passion for pole vaulting. After high school, he attended Kansas State University to study engineering.
Arvid in, 1965, enlisted in the United States Navy Seabees, serving two tours in Vietnam as part of a construction battalion responsible for building and repairing vital infrastructure. After his honorable discharge, he found his true love, Marilynn Bachler Chamberlain, and they were married on July 20, 1968, at Santa Clara Catholic Church in Oxnard, Calif. They established their first home in Ventura, where Arvid worked for Boyle Engineering.
In 1973, after encouragement from friends, Arvid and Marilynn moved to Fallbrook, Calif., the avocado capital of the world. They became partners in Southwest Irrigation, designing irrigation systems and installing avocado orchards and horse ranches throughout San Diego County and Temecula. Fallbrook became their home for 25 years, where they raised their four children, Michelle, Nicole, Jeff, and Tiffany. Arvid was actively involved in his children’s sports, coaching teams and cheering from the sidelines. His commitment to community extended to being a member of the Fallbrook Ag Boosters and supporting the Fallbrook FFA and 4-H Chapter. His faith was important to his life, and Zion Lutheran Church became a place of lasting friendships.
In 1998, Arvid and Marilynn found their forever home in Bakersfield, Calif. Arvid worked as a field engineer for Grimmway Farms for 17 years, continuing to design and build water systems. He enjoyed a close relationship with his family, especially his children and grandchildren, attending their sports events and activities.
After retirement, Arvid loved to travel with Marilynn and friends, visiting cousins across the U.S. and attending K-State football games, proudly donning his purple attire. He cherished adventures, including an Alaska cruise with dear friends and memorable fishing and hunting trips with the boys.
Arvid’s greatest joy came from spending time with his nine grandchildren, Emily, Carlee, Liam, Colleen, Hunter, Alison, Cannon, Ryder, and Madison. He delighted in their sports games, often laughing and playing cards with family, going on adventurous family trips, and reminiscing about cherished memories of time spent with his cousins and friends.
Arvid is survived by his loving wife, Marilynn; his children and their spouses, Michelle and Dave Hansen of San Rafael, Nicole and Cliff Lauritzen of Chowchilla, Jeff and Katie Unruh of Bakersfield, and Tiffany Unruh of Bakersfield; his nine grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Ruth; and his stepmother, Beda Unruh.
Services will be held Friday, November 7, 2025. There will be a formal Military Burial at 1:15 p.m. Bakersfield National Cemetery, 30338 E. Bear Mountain Blvd., Arvin, CA 93203. Celebration of Life at 4:30 p.m. with a dinner reception to follow
St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4500 Buena Vista Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Arvid Unruh’s memory be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4500 Buena Vista Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311.
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Oct. 23, 2025
