Obituaries

Barbara Gene Hencke Amsler

Photo of Barbara Gene Hencke Amsler
Barbara Gene Hencke Amsler, 90, a lifelong resident of Little Rock, passed away Friday, September 1, 2017. She was born on April 14, 1927 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Mabel Nettie Jefferies Hencke and Eugene Christian Hencke. She graduated from Little Rock High School, in 1945, where she served as president Delta Beta Sigma sorority. She attended Lindenwood College, in St. Charles, Missouri, for 2 years, receiving an Associate's degree. She continued her education at the University of Oklahoma, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and earned a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Radio-Drama. Following graduation, she worked part-time as a woman's shopping consultant for Gus Blass Department Store, in addition to working for Radio Station KGHI where she served as program director and hosted a women's show. That experience led her to doing TV commercials for KATV (and its predecessor, KRTV), which made her the first woman on TV in Arkansas. She married her best friend, Guy Amsler, Jr. in 1951 and enjoyed 53 years of marriage, highlighted by fun, friends and travel. They were longtime members of the Country Club of Little Rock and especially enjoyed their "Sunday Golf Group". She and Guy were avid Razorback Fans and enjoyed being part of "The Homecoming Group". She lived on Centerwood Road for 52 years and cherished the many close friendships that she and Guy cultivated there. That was truly the embodiment of the word "Neighborhood". She was an active member of Pulaski Heights Presbyterian Church for 66 years, where she taught Sunday School and served in various church leadership positions including Deacon and Elder For the past 15 years, she led the Friday Morning Bible Study which is still active and will live on as one of her legacies. She served the community in a wide variety of volunteer roles through organizations such as Stewpot and Arkansas Children's Hospital Auxiliary. She served as president of both The 20th Century Club of Little Rock and P.E.O. Chapter C, and was a longtime Commissioner for Presbyterian Village, where she also served on its Auxiliary Board and most recently as Vice President of the Residents Council. Barbara was also active, for many years, in the Pulaski County Bar Association's Gridiron productions. Barbara was preceded in death by her mother, father, husband and her younger sister, Carol Christian Hencke Tackett. She is survived by her son, Guy Amsler III, of Little Rock, her son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Pam Amsler, of Little Rock, and her daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Chris Rogers of Bentonville, along with her five grandchildren,, Blake and Logan Amsler of Little Rock, Caty and Christopher Rogers of Bentonville, and Thomas Rogers of Fayetteville. She also leaves behind a beloved niece, Cindy Tackett Murphy, and great-niece, Zoe Murphy, of Holladay, Utah, a brother-in-law, C.F. "Buddy" Tackett, and his wife Lucinda, two step-nieces, Amy Tackett and Beth Tackett Shields, a godson, and her dentist, Dr. Robert E. Richardson Jr., and a goddaughter, Mary Richardson Admire, all of Little Rock. The family would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the staff and management of Presbyterian Village, including her caregivers in the Health Care Center and the Physical Therapy staff. They also want to express their heartfelt gratitude to her personal caregivers, Bobbie and Belva Hughes of Little Rock and to her PV "Happy Hour Crew". Visitation will be Friday, September 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Ruebel Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 9 at Pulaski Heights Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Ruskin Falls officiating. Friends may sign the online guest register at www.ruebelfuneralhome.com. In Lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to: Pulaski Heights Presbyterian Church, 4401 Woodlawn Ave., Little Rock, Ark. 72205; Presbyterian Village, 510 North Brookside Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72205; The Guy Amsler, Jr Scholarship Fund, c/o the Arkansas Bar Foundation, 2224 Cottondale Lane, Little Rock, Ark. 72202; The Stewpot - Little Rock, 800 Scott Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72201; or, Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 2222, Little Rock, Ark. 72203-2222.

Published September 7, 2017

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