Dr. Sidney Otho Hesterly

29 November 1931 - 1 September 2015

Under: Obituary
Dr. Sidney Otho Hesterly

Dr. Sidney Otho Hesterly passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2015. He was a wonderful, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was born in Prescott, Arkansas on November 29, 1931 to Ernest and Rachel Hesterly. He grew up there and married his high school sweetheart, Bobbie Erskine Hesterly, in 1951. He served in the Air Force and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War.

He was a clinical psychologist who received his bachelor's degree from Henderson State University in 1955, his master's and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Louisiana State University in 1960. He was an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences for 31 years, working primarily with children and parents in the Child Study Center Clinic. He was a member of the American Psychological Association and past president of the Arkansas Psychological Association. He was the author or co-author of many publications and articles about attention-deficit problems, learning disabilities, and panic disorders. He was best known for his writings on using Transactional Analysis as a tool for helping people change their lives, including How to Use Transactional Analysis in the Public Schools and The Parent Package: To Raise A Winner. He was a consultant in the public schools and for other businesses and organizations, including ARAMCO in Saudi Arabia, the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, and various religious groups. He served on the board of the Arkansas Baptist Children's Home for many years. In his later years, he performed psychological evaluations for Arkansas Associated Christian Counselors and Lions' World Services for the Blind.

He was a member of Pulaski Heights Baptist Church for over 53 years, and served as a deacon, including chairman of the deacons. He was a tenor in the church choir and also taught Sunday School, teaching many different ages, from two-year-olds to the oldest men. He loved the Lord and was the spiritual head of his household.

He was well known for his sweet nature, marvelous hugs and backrubs, and his love of a good joke. He loved to play the piano and was never embarrassed to act silly, which made him a favorite of all who knew him. His interests included painting, drawing, and origami, as well as music of all sorts: clarinet, saxophone, piano and dulcimer. He loved to sing, especially with his wife and family.

He is survived by his wife Bobbie and his four children: Dr. Patricia Hesterly Tolbert (Charles), Leigh Ann Hesterly Hicks (John), Ernest Otho Hesterly (Teresa) and Janie Hesterly Wilkerson (David); grandchildren Dr. Rachel Tolbert Kimbro, Patrick Tolbert, Jennifer Hicks, Garrett Hicks, Steven Hicks, Chris Hesterly, Sara Hesterly French, and Anwen Wilkerson; and great-grandchildren Eleanor Kimbro, Thomas Kimbro, Theo French, Ty French and Emily Tolbert.

Services will be held at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church on Friday, September 4 at 11 a.m., officiated by Dr. Randy Hyde. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be private at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, 2200 Kavanaugh Boulevard, Little Rock, Ark. 72205.

Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501) 224-2200.

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