Obituaries

Robert Wheatley Beard

Photo of Robert Wheatley Beard
Dr. Robert Wheatley Beard, 83, of Bentonville died Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center in Rogers. He was born April 9, 1932 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas the son of Robbie Mae Wheatley and John Cullen Beard Jr. He was a medical doctor for over 50 years. He attended Southwestern at Memphis where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree, he then attended University of Tennessee Medical School, then served his internship in Denver, Colorado, and completed his residencies in Internal Medicine and Neurology. He was a fellow of The American Academy of Neurology. He worked in many Arkansas hospitals including Jonesboro, Little Rock and Mountain Home, and worked reviewing medical records with Social Security Disability Determination. He loved canoeing many of the Arkansas area rivers, especially the Buffalo River. He enjoyed gardening and spending time with his dogs and founded the Arkansas Canoe and Kayak Association. Dr. Beard had lived in the Northwest Arkansas area for three years after moving from Scott, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. Survivors include: Marcia Beard his wife of 58 years; his children, William Jackson Beard, of Seattle, Washington, Daniel Robertson Beard, of Conway, Arkansas and Jeanel Lynada Walker of Austin, Texas; and five nephews, Cullen, Carter, and Robert Beard, and Chris and Doug Toenes. Visitation will be Friday from 10-11 a.m. at Epting Funeral Home of Bentonville. Graveside service will be Friday at 12:30 p.m. at Bella Vista Cemetery. The celebration of Robert's Life will be Friday at 1pm at The Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista. Memorials can be made to the Arkansas Rice Depot. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.

Published March 17, 2016

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