5 years ago
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Arkansas Health Department director Doctor Fay Boozman died on Saturday, March 19 2005 in an accident on his farm in Rogers.
Officials say he was working in his barn when part of the barn collapsed on top of him. Benton County Coroner Kimberly Scott said Boozman died from trauma to the chest and that his body was found by family members.
He was 58. He was survived by his wife, Vickie, their three children, his brother, US Congressman John Boozman and their mother, who lives in Fort Smith.
Boozman ran unsuccessfully for the US Senate in 1998, losing to Senator Blanche Lincoln.
As a Republican state senator in 1996, Boozman suffered several serious injuries in a car accident. He was a passenger of the car driven by Timothy Hutchinson, a son of then-Sen. Tim Hutchinson who is now a state representative.
Asa Hutchinson, said Saturday night that Boozman administered to the victims of the accident despite his serious injuries.
In April, 2005 the Department of Health preserved Boozman's memory, giving him the "Distinguished Service Award."
Boozman's widow Vickey accepted it on his behalf and thanked the department for its continuing efforts to make Arkansas healthier.
"I am just so thrilled to hear that you are going to be continuing to carry on his vision. I'm sure he's smiling down from heaven saying, 'Go get ?em,'" Boozman says.
Boozman was one of eight people from Arkansas who were declared public health heroes
The College of Public Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences was named for the late Dr. Boozman in August, 2005. Boozman was a key figure in the founding of the public health school.
