Benjamin Myers Lincoln

Dr. Benjamin Myers Lincoln, died on May 31, 2022, at the age of 94. He was born in Paragould, Arkansas, on January 27, 1928, the son of Benjamin Alpin Lincoln and Ruth Myers Lincoln. Ben's father was a County Extension Agent and the family moved several times before settling in Little Rock, where Ben attended and was a graduate of Little Rock High School, now Central High. Upon graduation, Ben enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent to Texas A&M University for training. There he chose to train as a medical technician and soon realized he wanted to become a doctor. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he enrolled at the University of Arkansas. While at the University, he met his future wife Marilyn "Pert" Deen from Blytheville, Ark., and also formed lifelong friendships through his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. After college, Ben began his medical studies at UAMS. Following an internship in Kansas City, he completed a surgery residency at UAMS and then taught for two years at the Medical School as an associate professor of surgery. Ben was in private practice for over 40 years, specializing in thoracic surgery. He was a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Pulaski County Medical Society, the American Medical Society, the American College of Chest Physicians, the Southwestern Surgical Society, the Southern Medical Association, and the American Heart Association. He was President of the Arkansas Heart Association from 1966 to 1968. Ben was an active member of the Country Club of Little Rock where he enjoyed playing tennis for fun as well as competitively. He especially looked forward to his weekly match with the same group of friends spanning over 40 years. Probably his favorite pastime was fishing. And while he travelled to fish as far away as Alaska, he was never happier than on a small local lake in his one-man boat fishing for crappie. Ben and Pert were married for 54 years before her death in 2006. They had three sons who survive him, Benjamin Deen Lincoln (Carol), Mark Hunter Lincoln (Susan), and Stephen Reece Lincoln (Blanche). He is also survived by grandchildren, Benjamin Lincoln (Courtney), Jacqueline Lincoln D'Aloise (Paul), Samuel Lincoln (Meredith), Bennett Lincoln and Reece Lincoln, plus two great-grandchildren: Benjamin Grant Lincoln and Adaline Frances D'Aloise. Two of his sisters survive Ben, Rowena Lincoln Hardinger of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Lucy Lincoln Abraham of Little Rock. He was predeceased by his sister, Lydia Lincoln Kingsborough. In 2008, Ben married Pollye Tharp and enjoyed dividing time between his home in Little Rock and her home on Lake Hamilton. They also shared a love of travel and visited four continents before Ben's health began to fail. His marriage to Pollye added three stepsons to the family, Douglas Tharp (Hanna), Gary Tharp (Mitsy) and Paul Tharp (Holly). Ben was a member of Second Presbyterian Church where five generations of Lincolns have worshiped. He was an Elder and a Deacon and was the Chairman of the Deacons when the Church moved from downtown to west Little Rock in 1967. Services will be held at the Church on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at 1 p.m. A reception will follow in the Church's Second Hall. Any memorial gifts in honor of Dr. Lincoln can be made to the Second Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of: RuebelFuneralHome.com