Biography: Samuel William Boellner, MD, age 80 of Little Rock, Arkansas died on September 5, 2015. Dr. Boellner built a Reputation as a highly intelligent, generous, and compassionate physician, who enjoyed family and the practice of Medicine, in the private practice of Pediatric Neurology, and Clinical Research. He was also an accomplished athlete. Samuel was born in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, on December 21, 1934, to the late Emma Doane Boellner and the late Wilbert William Boellner, an electrical engineer with AT&T. The family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where Samuel attended Grade School. In the 7th grade Samuel, his Mother, and his sister, Carol (Mayhugh), moved back to Arkadelphia to live with his late Aunt Elizabeth Doane and grandparents Fannie Purcell Doane and Dr. Samuel Newman Doane. Dr. Doane practiced general medicine in Arkansas for 55 years. He graduated from Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and completed one of the first general surgery residencies and the first ear, nose, and throat residency at that school. Samuel's association, admiration and love for his grandfather influenced him to want to be a physician. In Arkadelphia while in High School, Samuel participated in scouting, DeMolay, The National Honor Society, church and sports. He played basketball (all district honors), golf, tennis (won the State Class A Titles in Singles, Doubles, and was a member of Arkansas and District Davis Cup Teams), and baseball. After graduation he was offered a bonus contract to play professional baseball, but upon advice from his family he declined the baseball offer and attended college. Samuel completed two years in premed and chemical engineering classes at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He received a B.S. Degree after completing two additional years at The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he also completed all but a few of the necessary credits for a Chemical Engineering Degree. At both universities he was a member of The Kappa Sigma Fraternity and was one of the top players on the tennis teams, lettering three years. After 4 years in college he attended The University of Arkansas School of Medicine where he received an M.D.Degree. Upon graduation in 1961 he was honored with The Faculty Key Award, presented to the outstanding graduate in each graduating class by vote from the medical school faculty. Dr. Boellner's extensive medical training consisted of six years of residency in completing both Pediatrics and Neurology residency at the University of Minnesota Hospitals (Minneapolis, Minnesota), Vanderbilt University Hospitals (Nashville, Tennessee), the University of Arkansas Medical Science Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine Hospitals (Barnes Hospitals, and St. Louis Children's Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri). He was awarded a Three Year Fellowship and financial stipend for his training in Neurology by the National Institutes of Health. He served two years in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Following residency training, Dr. Boellner taught and did research for four years on the Full-Time Faculties in the Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology at Barnes Hospital/St. Louis Children's Hospital and the University of Arkansas Medical School. He entered the private practice of Neurology in Little Rock in 1972. He was a founder of the first private practice group of neurologists in Arkansas, Neurology Associates, P.A., which grew to eight neurologists. After his first year, he limited his practice to Pediatric Neurology and was a former Chief of The Medical Staff of the pediatric sections at St. Vincent's, Doctors, and Baptist Medical Center as well as on the medical staff at Arkansas Children's Hospital. He also served as Chief of The Medical Staff at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock for two years, and received Special Certificate Awards for his eight years on the Hospital Board of Directors. In 1987 Dr. Boellner founded Clinical Investigation Specialists (CIS) and in 1998 founded Clinical Study Centers (CSC). Both businesses worked with pharmaceutical companies in conducting clinical research trials. He continued his private practice as a consultant in Pediatric Neurology until retirement, while also serving as CEO and Chief Medical Director of these companies. Samuel was the Principal Investigator for studies with over 200 pivotal clinical research studies for over 20 pharmaceutical companies in the United States and abroad. Dr. Boellner's wife, Marilyn, provided the necessary inspiration and hands on assistance in managing his consulting neurology practice and in the founding of these research companies. He was privileged to work with experienced nurse coordinators, and other capable and devoted employees and was very appreciative of their dedication, hard work and loyalty to the company and to the patients and pharmaceutical companies. He often remarked that the company could not have been so productive without so many capable and loyal employees. Dr. Boellner published over 50 papers in major medical journals as well as presented posters and formal lectures at major national and international medical meetings. Dr. Boellner held professional memberships on many boards and societies including: Diplomat American Board of Pediatrics, Fellow American Academy Pediatrics, American Academy of Neurology, American Child Neurology Society, International Child Neurology Society, Fellow American Academy for Cerebral Palsy, American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, American Institute of Ultrasound ,American Society of Neuroimaging, American Medical Electroencephalographic Association, Southern Electroencephalographic Association, American Epilepsy Society, and the American, Arkansas, and Pulaski County Medical Societies. He also served on The Board of the Little Rock Boys and Girls Club and The Board of the Country Club of Little Rock. Dr. Boellner used exercise and competitive tennis to maintain physical fitness. He won most state, city, and Little Rock Private Club Singles and Doubles Titles in Arkansas. He won Arkansas State Men's Singles and Doubles, 35 years and over singles (10 years}, doubles (7 years}, 45 years and over singles (6 years) and doubles (4 years). He was ranked in the Top Ten in the South for 7 years and one year was ranked #2. He played five years as one of the Three Singles and Doubles players for The United States in their match's against Mexico in The Osuna Cup. Sam and three other tennis enthusiasts founded the Westside Tennis Club which later became The Little Rock Athletic Club. He has also been nominated for the Arkansas Tennis Hall of Fame. Although Boellner won many trophies in athletics, he frequently said that your "real trophies" in life are what you, because of God's Grace, are privileged to give to others. Dr. Boellner was a witnessing Christian and often said that any and all achievements in his life were from God. He tried to live his life to Glorify God and not himself. He was an Episcopalian for over 50 years and served on The Vestry for several terms at Christ Church, Little Rock, and later attended St. Francis Episcopal Church in Heber Springs, Arkansas where he and Marilyn intended to retire. He attended The Men's Ecumenical Bible Study Group and private, special session every Wednesday 7am-8am with the late Dr. Carl Wenger, a noted Bible Study leader and General Surgeon in Little Rock. They read many religious books cover to cover at these sessions over a twelve year period. This session was a high point In Dr. Boellner's life and was rarely cancelled. Boellner is survived by his loving, loyal, and caring wife, Marilyn, his stepchildren, Karen Gordon (Brian) and Eric Jameson (Shelley), and seven step grandchildren, Russell, MacKenzie, Matthew & Anna Gordon, Olivia, Phoebe & Hayes Jameson. This family became a vital part in his life as did many friends and a support group at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Heber Springs. Also, Dr. Boellner is survived by his sister, Carol Mayhugh (Ogden), of Hot Springs, Arkansas and his niece Katherine Ellison (John) of Benton, Arkansas and three daughters, Mildred Cain (Richmond, VA), Elizabeth Boellner (Little Rock), and Caroline Jeffrey (Little Rock), and their mother Mary Bellingrath Boellner (Little Rock), as well as seven grandchildren, Janie & Leah Munsey, Maria, Catherine & Sam Cain, Sam & Anna Jeffrey. Visitation for a gathering of Sam?s friends will be Friday, September 11, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 West Markham, Little Rock. Dr. Boellner will be cremated with his ashes spread over the gardens of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Heber Springs, Arkansas. At Sam?s request the service will be at St. Francis Church, 20 Woodland Cove, Heber Springs on Saturday, September 12th, at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Marti Dalby officiating. The family expresses sincere thanks and appreciation for the loving care provided by Sam?s doctors, many of which are close friends, as well as his caregivers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Francis Episcopal Church in Heber Springs, AR or a favorite charity. To sign the online guestbook visit www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.