Albert Reed Thompson

Dr. Albert Reed Thompson died August 14, 2017, just as he lived — gently, but with purpose. He was a father, husband, brother, grandfather, healer, teacher, friend, and lover of all creatures great and small. Reed was born in El Dorado, Arkansas, on August 5, 1944, to Merle Clowney Thompson and Tignor Marvin Thompson. He graduated from El Dorado High School, Hendrix College, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He served in the Navy from 1971 to 1974. Reed was an ear, nose, and throat surgeon for 20 years. Motivated by the challenges of caring for his patients who had incurable head and neck tumors, Reed became interested in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. As this was a relatively new specialty in the U.S., he realized that he had an opportunity to promote and expand it by returning to UAMS to educate future generations of physicians. In 1995, he started the first Palliative Care program in Arkansas. In 1998 he became Head of Palliative Care for the Central Arkansas VA System and also Medical Director for Arkansas Hospice. While at UAMS he introduced medical students to basic Palliative Care, and provided Palliative Care electives to medical students and residents throughout the UAMS system. Over the following 20 years, these programs grew tremendously. Anticipating eventual retirement, as each of these programs grew and became self-sustaining, Reed passed the reins to colleagues, and retired from the VA system at the end of 2016. Anticipating a "next" career in another area of interest, Reed became certified as a Spiritual Director and actively practiced in that area until forced to stop by his illness. He was also looking forward to a pilgrimage to the Isle of Iona in the spring. Reed's favorite place to be was with his family, especially when they were all together on Deer Isle in Maine where they spent summers for 25 years. Reed is survived by his wife, Rebecca Thompson; sons, Quin (Mary Thompson) and Jonathan Thompson; daughters, Susan Williams (Vern Williams) and Mary Ellen Pyle; brother, Tig Thompson (Patti Thompson); and grandchildren, Katie Williams, Milo Thompson, and June Thompson. Reed was a man of great compassion, selflessness, and vision who always spoke in an unconditional and generous manner. He will always be fondly remembered by those whom he loved, taught, healed, and ministered. The visitation will take place at Ruebel Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 16, from 5: p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 10 a.m. at Christ Church in downtown Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite animal shelter, the Arkansas Nature Conservancy, or the Buddhist Ecumenical Center. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.