Dorothy "Dot" K. Rappeport

Dot worked tirelessly throughout her adult life to improve the human condition in our community, state and region. She made a difference in the lives of many, including empowering girls and women to reach for their dreams and goals they may have never thought possible. She taught psychology, philosophy and education classes at UAFS (formerly Westark Community College) for 25+ years; she took a leave from teaching to become the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services from 1981 to 1983; she was a past President of the United Way of Fort Smith Area for nine years. Dot also taught education classes at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

In the past, Dot was a member of the Arkansas Endowment for the Humanities, President of Comprehensive Juvenile Services, a member of the Sebastian County Quorum Court, and a Sebastian County Justice of the Peace. Dot led programs to raise money for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Smith, promoted programs to improve public transportation, and programs designed to ensure that every child entering school is prepared to learn. Dot served on and/or lead many additional organizations focused on improvement in the region.

Throughout her work, Dot has received many awards including Who’s Who of American Women; Two Thousand Women of Achievement; Horizons: Arkansas 100 Women of Achievement; Phi Delta Kappa Educator of the Year; Sertoma Service to Mankind Award; a special award presented by the Inspector General of the United States for efforts toward the reduction of Medicaid waste, fraud and abuse; Boys and Girls Club of Fort Smith, Hall of Fame Award; and the Jack White Leadership Fort Smith Award.

Dot did all the above while being a wonderful wife, mother and sister to members of her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Maurice Katzer of Fort Smith and Ben Katzer of Searcy and Fort Smith. Survivors include her loving husband of 70 years, Myron H. Rappeport; two sons, Stephen Rappeport and wife Kelly of Fort Smith and Mike Rappeport and wife Jane of Fort Smith; along with Dot’s grandsons, Lt. Sam Rappeport of Naples, Italy and Jack Rappeport of Rogers, Arkansas; and her daughter, Kay and husband Brent Franks of Dallas, Texas.

Cremation was conducted under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Dot will be committed at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith at 10:00 AM on Monday, October 22, 2018 followed by a memorial service honoring Dot’s life to be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 22,2018 at Roebuck Chapel at First Methodist Church in Fort Smith.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Arkansas Chapter, 5506 W. Walsh Lane, Suite 212, Rogers, AR 72758.

To sign an online guestbook, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com