Dr. Bob Ed Wilkins, DDS

Dr. Bob Ed Wilkins, DDS, 82, of Maumelle died Friday morning October 2, 2009. Bob was born to the late Oresta and Eula Wilkins in Fort Smith, AR on August 4, 1927. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Kathreen and son, Greg.

He attended school in Little Rock until his senior year and his father wanted him to return to Fort Smith so he could graduate there. After high school he joined the Navy and at the age of 17 was sent to San Diego. They made a cook out of him and put him on a troop train. He loved telling stories about the things he did. He loved to cook and continued to do so, until the last few years.

After the war was over he returned to Arkansas and enrolled in University of Arkansas. It took him 5 years to graduate because he had to drop out and earn money to continue the next year. He pledged IIKA and loved being a Fraternity brother. After college he went on to the University of Kansas City Dental School. There he went to school during the day and worked half the night to pay his way through. He finished in 4 years and returned to Little Rock where he went into practice. He became the first Periodontist in Arkansas, and worked at that profession for about 30 years.

He was an avid outdoors man, enjoying hunting and his cabin at Snead Deer Camp, fishing at Greer Ferry where he also had a cabin. He loved golf and had belonged to North Hills, Bellvedere and Maumelle Country Clubs.

He was a member of the Academy of American Periodontics, Arkansas Dental Association, Southwest Academy of Perio, Downtown Rotary and a Proud Contributor to the Razorback’s.

He is survived by wife, Marie; sons, Jeff, Brad and Greg’s wife Jean; grandchildren, Robert and Rainey; and host of other family and friends.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 5, 2009 at Roller-Owens Funeral Home Chapel (501-791-7400) with Chaplain Pat Singer officiating. Interment will follow at Arkansas State Veterans’ Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m., Sunday, October 4, 2009 at the funeral home.

Honorary pallbearers will the Staff at Arkansas Hospice, St. Vincent’s and friends at Smead Deer Camp.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Arkansas, 10411 W. Markham, Suite 130, Little Rock, AR 72205, Arkansas Hospice at St. Vincent’s 6106 St. Vincent’s Circle, Little Rock, AR 72205 or Open Camp Children Shelter, Lonoke, Arkansas.