Noah Bruce Kersh

1920 - 2015

Noah Bruce Kersh, M.D., 94, of Malvern died Sunday, March 22, 2015, at his home. He is now in a place where there is no pain. He was born in Relfs Bluff in Lincoln County near Monticello, Arkansas, on September 13, 1920 to Grady G. and Lucendia Keahey Kersh. He was a Presbyterian.
He attended high school at Drew Central High School in Monticello and was a graduate of Arkansas A&M, now The University of Arkansas at Monticello. Following his graduation from A&M, Dr. Kersh earned his Medical Doctor degree from The University of Arkansas Medical School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1945. Dr. Kersh's internship after graduation was done at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock which sparked his career-long affection for and the gentle caregiving of children for which he was known by his patients.
Because WW II was still raging when Bruce was a senior in medical school, he became an officer in the U.S. Army and, following his internship, was posted to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, where he served as a Captain until 1948. Dr. Kersh moved to Malvern in 1948 and began his practice of medicine. He reluctantly retired in 1997 after 52 years of serving his patients and his calling. Dr. Kersh especially enjoyed obstetrics and delivered numerous babies in Malvern during his long career. His devotion to the study of medicine continued past retirement, and he recently remarked, "Love of Medicine just gets in your blood."
As well as his membership in professional organizations, The American Medical Association, The Arkansas Medical Association, and The Hot Spring County Medical Society, Dr. Kersh was actively involved in the local community for many years. He was a member of The Rotary Club of Malvern, served on the Malvern School Board, and was a deacon of First Presbyterian Church of Malvern. Dr. Kersh was a Mason, a Shriner, and a Jester. He was instrumental in founding the organization that later became The Petty Center. He was supportive of and encouraged many college students and medical school students. He had a generous spirit and endowed two patient rooms at Hot Spring County Medical Center.
Over the years, Dr. Kersh had many hobbies. He enjoyed playing bridge and was an avid hunter and fisherman in his younger life. He liked working with stained glass, playing in his workshop, and at one time grew orchids in his green house.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Myrtle Kersh Rogers, three brothers, Dolph Kersh, Eck C. Kersh, and Bill W. Kersh. His wife, Doris Ward Kersh, also preceded him in death in 2013.
He is survived by two daughters, Charlotte Mary Kersh Purdy of Malvern and Angela Hope Kersh-Lingenfelser of Carlsbad, California, and a son, Noah Britt Kersh of Malvern; two step-daughters, Wanda Brumley Briney and Deborah Brumley Headley, both of Malvern; six grandchildren and two great- grandchildren; several step-grandchildren and their children; and eleven nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Dr. Bollen, the Hospice nurses and the dedicated caregivers who attended Dr. Kersh in his last weeks, especially Tanya Ivy. There will be a private internment of cremains. Memorials may be made to Arkansas Children's Hospital, which always held special meaning for "Doc" or "Dr.Crush" as many patients fondly called him.
Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.