Dr. Robert L. Chester, 80, of Fort Smith, Ark., died Feb. 6, 2007, in Fort Smith. He was born Oct. 29, 1926 at Elm Store, Ark. He was the fifth of seven children born to William Elijah and Lydia Brewer Chester. He graduated from Couch High School in 1945 in Myrtle, Mo. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army as a field artillery soldier in WWII. After discharge from the military in 1946, he enrolled at the University of Arkansas where he majored in zoology and minored in chemistry. He gained admission to the University’s Medical School in 1955 at the University of Arkansas Hospital in Little Rock. He did a general internship at the Huey P. Long Charity Hospital in Pineville, Louisiana (1955-57), followed by a year’s practice in Piggott, Ark. In 1958-1960, he pursued specialization in Anesthesiology at the University of Missouri Medical School, held a faculty position for a year at the University of Mississippi Medical School in Jackson, before moving on to residencies in the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital and The University of Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma where he served as chief of Anesthesiology. He practiced general Anesthesiology from 1964-1979 in Fayetteville and then from 1979-1989 in Fort Smith. From 1989-1996, he continued practicing Anesthesiology on a part-time basis at various medical clinics. After retirement, he was very active in the Ozark Highland Trails and maintained two miles of trails. He loved to hike and lead others on hikes. He remodeled two cabins on Cave Mountain (Newton County) where he entertained family and friends.

     A causal memorial service will be a 6 P.M. Friday, Feb. 9, 2007, at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Smith, Ark. Additional services will be at Cave Mountain on Oct. 20, 2007, and at Walnut Grove, Ark., shortly after for family and close friends.

     He is survived by one sister, Mary Frances Bauer and husband, George, of Medford, Ore.; sister-in-law, Eureta Chester-Minge and her husband, Joe, of West Plaine, Mo.; two nephews, Rick and David Chester; three nieces, Pamela Sherfey, Lydia Adams and Carolyn Dick; 13 great-nieces; three great-great-nieces and a host of friends! He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Lois Imholtz, Maxine Brotherton; brothers, Leonard W. Chester, James Russell Chester, and Leo Elijah Chester; nephew, Gary Chester and niece, Dana Davis.

     The Family will visit with friends following the memorial service at Edwards Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Walnut Grove Cemetery Attn: Rick Chester Rt. 1 P.O. Box 50, Memphis, Tennessee 38101-9929 or a charity of one’s choice.