Warren Boop

WARREN CLARK (Bucky) BOOP JR. was born July 27, 1933 in Baltimore, Maryland. The family moved to Knoxville, TN, for his father’s employment by TVA as a civil engineer. Warren graduated from Central High School (Knoxville) and from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  In 1953, he married his high school sweetheart Nancy Ogden Boop to whom he was married for 68 years. Warren attended medical school at UT Memphis, graduating in 1956. This was followed by a year of internship at Baroness Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, then a year of surgery at St. Mary’s Hospital in Knoxville. He served in the US Navy as Ship’s Surgeon aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence. In 1960, he entered a Navy sponsored civilian residency in neurosurgery at the University of Minnesota under Professor Lyle French.

Following completion of training, Warren received orders as Staff Neurosurgeon at the Oakland Naval Hospital (California). As the Vietnam war escalated, he was transferred to Great Lakes Naval Hospital as Chief of Neurosurgery. During this time he cared for many soldiers suffering nerve injuries. In 18 months he cared for 650 patients with nerve injuries, subsequently publishing and lecturing on their management. In 1969, he resigned his Naval commission to accept a position as Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. With department chairman Stevenson Flanigan they established the first neurosurgical training program in Arkansas in 1970.

In 1976 he became Professor of Neurosurgery at UAMS and Chief of Neurosurgery at the Little Rock Veteran’s Hospital. He served as Director of the Pain Control Program at Arkansas Rehabilitation Institute. In 1994, he retired  from academic practice. His academic career was notable for his service as President of the Southern Neurosurgical Society (SNS) in 1985, and he was active in many professional societies (NSA, AANS and AMA).

In retirement, Warren became a Master Gardener, helping to develop the landscape at Wildwood Performing Art’s Park. He and his wife Nancy were devoted members of Second Presbyterian Church, singing in the choir and serving as a deacon and as elder. He served on the Boards of  Wildwood Park, CARTI Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association, Arkansas Wind Symphony and Presbyterian Village.

Warren’s wife of 68 years left this world December 22, 2020. Unable to enjoy life without her, he joined her May 19, 2021. Warren was pre-deceased by his parents, sister and Nancy. He is survived by his three children, Frederick (Rick), a neurosurgeon in Memphis and his wife, Lee Ann Boop;  Lynda, a Research Professor of geochemistry at Arizona State University and her husband Stanley Williams; and Bradley, a neurologist practicing in Little Rock. Warren and Nancy have six grandchildren, Christine Klassen, Nicholas Williams, Sarah Boop, Scott Boop, Kiera Boop and Samuel Boop. They also enjoyed four great-grandchildren, Levi, Nolan and Joshua  Klassen and Cassius James Williams.

Warren requested that any memorials be directed either to Wildwood Performing Arts Park in Little Rock or to Second Presbyterian Church of Little Rock.

A Memorial Service will be held for both Warren and Nancy Boop on June 19, 2021 at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, 11AM.

Arrangements by Smith Little Rock Funeral Home.  Online guestbook at www.smithfamilycares.com.