Charles R. Shuffield

Charles R. Shuffield, healthcare and community leader in Fort Smith for more than four decades, died Monday, September 30, 2013 at Sparks Regional Medical Center. Mr. Shuffield was born December 6, 1937, to Cecil Edwin and Mildred Watkins Shuffield in the small town of Okay, Ark. He grew up in nearby Nashville and was valedictorian of his High School graduating class. He graduated from Baylor University (magnum cum laude), and with an M.A. in Hospital Administration from Washington University in St. Louis and received a law degree from the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson ( Clinton), Miss. He was a 30+ year member of the American Bar Association. In 1967, Charles and Sherron Shuffield and daughter Sally moved to Fort Smith, where he began what would become a 30-year tenure at Sparks Regional Medical Center. As president from 1979 until his retirement in 1997, he was instrumental in the growth of the Medical Center, including five major expansions, and ushered in an unprecedented era of medical technological advancement. In addition to leading Sparks, he also was active in community, civic and professional organizations. He served on the Arkansas Hospital Association Board for eight years (chair in 1984) and was president of the AHA Political Action Committee. He was appointed to the Governor's Task Force on State Hospitals and the State Advisory Board for Perinatal Health Services. He was a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. In 1997, he received two prestigious honors: the Arkansas Hospital Association's A. Allen Weintraub Award in recognition of his contributions to healthcare administration and to the community, and the American College of Healthcare Executives' Regents Award as the outstanding healthcare executive in Arkansas. Mr. Shuffield was a leader in the community, serving on the Fort Smith School Board for six years, including the presidency in 1978. He was a charter member of Independent Living, Inc., Leadership Fort Smith Board, the Fort Smith Chorale Board and the First Smith Racquet Club Board. He served on both the Fort Smith and Arkansas Chambers of Commerce Boards. In 1983, he chaired the United Way Campaign that reached $1 million for the first time and also served on the Board. While on the Fort Smith Girls Club Board,he chaired the fund drive for the sports complex project. For 26 years he served on the Board of Bancorp South. He also was on the Hardscrabble Country Club Board. After his retirement in 1997, he spent two years with the "Suitcase Singers" ,performing with three others the play "Pinnochio" for grade school students in the greater Fort Smith region. He also served on several boards after retirement, including the Fort Smith Museum of History. In 2004 he received Leadership Fort Smith's Jack White Leadership Award in recognition of his many contributions to the community. He was a member of First United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sherron of Fort Smith; two daughters, Sally Shuffield and husband Mike Matz and children, Carson and Celia, of Durango, Colo and Alice Hartman and husband Jeff and their children: Will, Clara, June and John, of Boulder, Colo.; one brother, Dr. James Shuffield and his wife Nancy of Little Rock; and beloved nieces and nephews. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, October 4, 2013 at First United Methodist Church. Two visitations are planned: one at the CHARLES SHUFFIELD EDUCATION CENTER in Sparks Regional Medical Center from 2-4 Thursday October 3, 2013. At 2:30 p.m. there will be a time for "Shared Memories." Another visitation for friends will be at the First Methodist Church Narthex from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday. October 3, 2013. Private interment will be at Oak Cemetery. Cremation and services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the Degen Foundation of Sparks Regional Medical Center, P.O. Box 10366 Fort Smith, Ark. 72902 or The Charles Shuffield Endowed Scholarship in Healthcare Administration through the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 3649, Fort Smith, Ark. 72913. To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.