Roscoe Arnold Dykman

Roscoe Arnold Dykman was born in Pocatello, Idaho on March 20, 1920. He died at home in Fayetteville, Arkansas on November 7, 2019 of natural causes surrounded by his family. He is preceded in death by his father, Arnold (Dyke) Dykman and his mother, Mabel, both of Pocatello, Idaho and his two brothers, Dale and Robert (Bobby). Roscoe had a long and blessed life of 99 years. He lived through the great depression as a child. He became talented at pole vaulting, boxing, handball, swimming and diving in his younger years and was a lifelong golfer. A veteran of World War II, he served in the 13th Armored "Black Cat" Division under General Patton in France and Germany as a Sergeant commanding a unit of five half-tracks and its troops. After the war he returned to school at George Williams College in Chicago to earn a BS in Physical Education in 1942. He remained in Chicago and earned a PhD in Human Development from the University of Chicago in 1949 and subsequently worked in Baltimore at John Hopkins Hospital, in the U.S. Public Health Service and as an Instructor at the Phipps Psychiatric Clinic. Roscoe returned to Chicago in 1953 to work for the Association of American Medical Colleges but in 1955 he was recruited along with several co-workers at John Hopkins to form the faculty at the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science (UAMS) in Little Rock. During his tenure at UAMS, he had appointments in the Department of Psychiatry and founded the Department of Biometry (mathematics and statistical analysis) due to his long standing interest not only in Psychiatry but also advanced mathematics, including calculus and statistics. He also taught medical students in the popular Behavioral Science course. He retired from UAMS in 1990 and was honored as Professor Emeritus. However, after leaving UAMS, he continued to work as Professor and Director of Psychophysiology Lab at Arkansas Children's Hospital (1990-2004), then as an Adjunct Professor in Neuropsychology at Louisville (2004-2009). He began his last job in 2010 working as a psychologist evaluating and counseling patients at the UAMS Springdale Psychiatric Research Institute with the late Dr. Jack Marr. He finally retired in 2014 at the age of 94. Roscoe worked with many famous scientists during his career and published more than 300 papers and articles spanning a broad range of fields including physiology, neurophysiology, genetics, and the testing and treatment of learning disabilities and hyperactivity. Throughout his life, sports and academic pursuits kept his body fit and his mind sharp. He audited classes at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville after retirement and would often work on calculus and statistical problems for fun. He welcomed new interests in opera, movies and plays at the encouragement of Bettie Lu Lancaster, for whom we are grateful. He continued to enjoy golf with a great group of "buddies" until his last few years. His time in assisted living was blessed with many great loving caregivers. Roscoe thought that every day is a new experience, a chance to meet new people and new opportunities for living. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by four children, Rick Dykman (Martha) of Naple, Fla., Tom Dykman (Dana) of Fayetteville, Susan Rountree (Paul) of Tyler, Texas and Laura Hokett (Dean) of Fayetteville; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, November 14, 2019 at Beard's Chapel. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, November 15, 2019 at Beard's Chapel with Reverend Don Carter officiating. Private interment was at the Fayetteville National Cemetery under the direction of Beard's Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas Medical Center or the Humane Society of the Ozarks. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.