Arnold E. Airhart was born in Alsask, Alberta, Canada, on April 25, 1918, the third of four children born to John Franklin and Anne (Eby) Airhart. He met his future wife, Doris Comfort, while he was attending Canadian Nazarene College in Red Deer, Alberta. Airhart spent his life in service to the Church of the Nazarene, but also served as a supply pastor to Everest Methodist Church (Kansas) in 1947-1949. After his retirement in 1983, Airhart and his wife returned to their native Canada. He died on April 17, 2006, at the age of 87, survived by his wife of sixty-six years as well as their three children and their families. His son, Philip John Airhart (born June 17, 1947), is a retired Methodist pastor in Oregon.

Note written by Sarah St. John