Dwight Winfield Arundale of Boca Grande, Fla. and Martha’s Vineyard, died peacefully on Friday, Feb. 24. He was 76.

Born in Aurora, Ill. on Nov. 5, 1935, he attended school in Aurora, Punahou, Hawaii, the University of Colorado in Boulder, and U.S. Air Force Pilot and Fighter Pilot training schools.

Dwight was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force and flew F-86 Fighter Jets for the Wyoming National Guard. He was credited with buzzing the football stadium in Boulder, Co. during game time to say hello to his fraternity brothers and girlfriend, Jean, later his wife and mother of his two children.

Dwight and his family spent their summers in Edgartown since the 1960s, and in the ‘70s bought property on Tower Hill, which remains in the family. He was very generous with many organizations on the Vineyard including the Boys and Girls Club and was a longtime member of the Edgartown Golf Club. He loved the Vineyard and was always heard saying that “Once you cross the water to the Vineyard, you never want to leave.”

After having worked from the ground up in his father’s business, he moved his family to England and started his own company where he traded in noble metals. He retired in his forties, attended art school in London full-time, graduated and enjoyed a life of travel, friendship and good times. Dwight met his second wife, Lynne, in London. She passed away in Boca Grande in 2007.

He was a talented artist, avid golfer with two holes-in-one to his credit, accomplished pilot and sailor, loving husband, brother, father and grandfather; a generous but quiet benefactor, mentor and friend.

The words “mentor” and “brother” come up in most of the conversations describing Dwight. His bigger-than-life presence and spot-on sense of humor will be sorely missed by family and friends around the world. Happiness was his mantra and gratitude was his path to finding it. Some years ago, Dwight coined the acronym T.U.G., which stands for Thank U God. He said T.U.G. with sincerity each and every day.

Dwight is survived by his wife, Lisa Umberger Arundale; son Scott Arundale, daughter in law Jennifer and granddaughters Lulu and Madye of Capistrano Beach, Ca.; daughter Linzi Light of London, England; and two brothers, Bob of La Jolla, Ca. and Doug of Wickie Wachee, Fla.

Per his request, a “Gathering of Family” will be held in Boca Grande, with his ashes spread in the Gulf so that he can continue to “travel the world.”

Please visit the website englewoodfh.com to sign his guestbook, share memories and/or photos. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Doctors Without Borders. T.U.G.