Arkansas Ortho Pioneer, Marvin Mumme Jr., Dies Age 77

Marvin E. Mumme, Jr., orthopedic surgeon who was devoted to his patients, passed away on July 15, 2022, at the age of 77 after a long battle with dementia.

Dr. Mumme spent 38 years with Holt Krock Clinic in Fort Smith, Arkansas, also, about 80 miles away, at Russellville’s River Valley Orthopedics and was appointed chief of staff at Sparks Regional Medical Center, also in Fort Smith, and on the board of trustees as well.

By all accounts, Dr. Mumme was well-loved by his patients and staff and colleagues. In his spare time he volunteered to be the team doctor for Southside High School football. Before retirement, he also served patients at Mercy Orthopedics, which is part of the River Valley system.

Dr. Mumme was very active in continuing education throughout his career and participated as a diplomate of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

“He was a physician who cared deeply for his patients and healed many with his meticulous, skilled hands. He was respected by his colleagues, one of whom shared that with Dr. Mumme ‘gave a level of confidence to his patients that only few achieve and his dedication to each of them was legendary,’” said his family.

Mumme was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on August 3, 1945, to Lt. Col Marvin Mumme, Sr. and Merle Booe Mumme. He was the middle child of three boys who were always having fun and finding trouble together, his obituary says.

He met the love of his life, Linda Powell Mumme, while attending North Little Rock High School. They drifted apart while he went to the University of Texas (UT) at Austin, but then re-engaged and ultimately married in 1966. He received his medical degree from UT Southwestern.

After completing his residency, he served at Peterson Field Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was awarded the Medal of Commendation for his service as Assistant Chief of Clinic Services and the excellence of care he provided his patients. He and his wife eventually settled in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where they raised a family of three children, Jeff, Jennifer and Jason.

Dr. Mumme was active in their lives and in the lives of his five grandchildren, Jackson, Hannah, Luke, Abby and Kenedy Jane. While he was known as a hard worker, Mumme also loved to play and enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, running, and traveling. He also loved skiing both on water and on snow

His faith was also important to him. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church for 45 years where he was involved in the Cornerstone Sunday School class.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, his brothers, Gem and David and his son Mark. He is survived by his wife, his children, Jeff Mumme and Jason Mumme of Fort Smith and Jennifer Mumme Bradt and her husband Doug, of Frisco, Texas, and his grandchildren.