Robert “Bob” A. Pettus, 73, of Rogers, Arkansas, passed away on August 24, 2025, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 15, 1952, in Stanford, Kentucky, to Edward Pettus and Margaret Mewaldt.

Bob is survived by his devoted wife, Paula Pettus of Rogers; his daughters, Kristin Seals of Fayetteville, Brittany Berryman of Farmington, and Shawna Pettus of Nottingham, England; and his beloved grandchildren, Jackson Leichner, Chloe Abraham, and Emma and Macie Breen. He is also survived by his brother, Edward Pettus, and wife Roxanne of Glen Ellyn, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Bob dedicated his life to service, education, and family. After beginning his career as an EMT in Madison County, he retired in 2019 from the Eureka Springs Fire Department as Assistant Chief. He served as a paramedic and educator for more than 40 years, including several years as a flight medic for Air Evac in Springdale. His true calling was education—Bob trained and mentored countless EMTs, paramedics, and other EMS professionals across NWA and beyond.

His impact reached far beyond the classroom. Bob was instrumental in founding the Eureka Springs EMS & First Responders Conference in 2008, which later became the NWA EMS & First Responders Conference. His leadership ensured that thousands of EMS professionals received the training and support needed to serve their communities.

Bob’s contributions were recognized with numerous honors, including induction into the Arkansas EMS Hall of Fame, a proclamation of “Bob Pettus Day” in Eureka Springs, and many other awards for his service and education. Yet the recognition he cherished most was seeing the careers he helped develop and the lives saved—whether by his own hands or through the skills he instilled in others.

Above all, Bob’s greatest joy was his family. He adored his wife, daughters, and later, his grandchildren, who knew him lovingly as “Poppa Bob.”

On Monday, September 1, from 4:00–7:00 p.m., friends and colleagues are invited to gather at the Eureka Springs Convention Center to share stories and remember Bob. A memorial service honoring his life will take place on Tuesday, September 2, at 2:00 p.m. at the Jones Center in Springdale, with a full honorary EMS escort arriving at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Bob Pettus EMS Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will continue Bob’s lifelong mission of training the next generation of EMTs and paramedics.

Checks may be made payable to Arkansas EMS Foundation with “Bob Pettus” in the memo line and sent to:

Arkansas EMS Foundation, 1209 Dogwood Trail, Conway, AR 72032

Digital donations may also be made via:

• Venmo: @arkemsfoundation
• Cash App: $arkemsfoundation
• PayPal: @arkemsfoundation

To his family, Bob was a devoted husband, father, and Poppa. To the EMS community, he was a teacher, mentor, and friend. To all, he was a hero whose influence will never fade.

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