Peter Arnold, a Woodbury resident since 1990, died on 14 August 2025 at his home in the attentive care of Danbury Regional Hospice. Born David Peter Arnold on 28 December 1934 in Kansas City, Missouri, he was the only child of David Thornton Arnold and Marjorie Lucille Grable — sister to actress Betty Grable. The family moved soon after to California, where Peter graduated from Beverly Hills High in 1953 and received a BA in English from Fresno State College in 1959.

As a college undergraduate Peter developed a keen interest in photography, becoming an assistant to Fresno-based portrait photographer Paulo Takahashi. Then, while covering the renowned Blue Angels as a stringer for United Press International, Peter was inspired to enlist in the U.S. Navy as a pilot. For four years he flew A4 Skyhawks on and off the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Forrestal. There followed a distinguished 25-year career flying for commercial carrier American Airlines.

Despite his commanding skills in the air, photography remained Peter's avocation and first love. During his many years in Woodbury, Connecticut, he developed a reputation as the go-to photographer for those running for office as well as for anyone wishing to memorialize a birthday or farewell party. His fine art photography also resulted in several well received shows, and his work in his beloved American southwest, showing off its majestic landscapes and colorful inhabitants, earned him his greatest accolades among those who acquired his work.

If photography was Peter's first love, baking exquisite desserts was a close second.  No one privileged to taste his heavenly bûche de Noël (yule log) or lemon tart ever doubted his mastery of kitchen confectionery.

Peter's first marriage, to Betty Letts, ended in divorce. In addition to his son, Peter Thornton Arnold, from his first marriage, Peter is survived by his wife, Penny Hartzell, whom he married in 1999; a stepdaughter, Glory Mongin; two grandchildren, Maddie Arnold and Philip Arnold; and two step grandchildren, Oliver Mongin and Rosie Mongin.

In lieu of flowers consider a contribution to Danbury Regional Hospice at regionalhospicect.networkforgood.com. A party to celebrate Peter's life will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be left at www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com