On August 28th, 2026, Arnold Passman of Silver Spring, Maryland, passed away surrounded by the love of his family.

Beloved husband of Sheila Passman; devoted father of Ross Passman and his wife, Kathy, and Sam Passman and his wife, Jill; loving brother of Yvette Stein; and cherished grandfather of Josh, Nick, and Evan.

Throughout his life, Arnold believed that helping others was both a privilege and a responsibility.Service was not simply something he did — it was part of who he was.

As a young man, Arnold served for two years in United States Air Force security before leaving to help care for his father during a serious illness.

After moving to the Washington, D.C. area, Arnold became a volunteer with the Silver Spring Fire Department, where he ultimately became a Life Member and served on its Board of Trustees.

His extraordinary commitment to the American Red Cross spanned more than 50 years. He served as both Disaster Services Chairman and Chapter Chairman of the Montgomery County Chapter, responding to fires and disasters and helping families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. He was honored by the Red Cross for more than 50 years of dedicated service.

Arnold also served as a volunteer reserve police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., volunteered with an ambulance service, and was active in Scouting from Eagle Scout to Scout leader.

His instinct to help extended far beyond official roles. Throughout his life, Arnold stopped at accidents, responded to medical emergencies, saved several people from drowning, and helped deliver six babies. He was always prepared to step in when someone needed assistance and was remarkably humble about the many people he helped.

Arnold was also a proud entrepreneur and business owner. For many years he owned and operated Georgetown Lamp Gallery and later Sheila’s Hallmark in Georgetown. In 1995, he founded Live Safe America, combining his lifelong interest in safety and crime prevention with educational seminars and products.

Arnold was known for his warmth, friendliness, curiosity about others, and legendary hugs. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and had a genuine interest in the people he met. He loved motorcycles, kayaking, technology, and spending time with his family.

Above all, Arnold was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He believed deeply in honesty, responsibility, compassion, and keeping one’s word. He taught those values not through speeches, but by the way he lived.

His legacy lives on in his family, in the many people he helped, and in the example he set throughout a life defined by love, service, and generosity.

He will be deeply missed and forever loved.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Arnold’s memory to the Silver Spring Volunteer Fire Department, the American Red Cross, or JSSA. Services entrusted to Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg Funeral Care.