Willis L. Beller, Md

Willis Leon Beller, MD, 95, passed away on January 15, 2010 at his home in Topeka. Dr. Beller was born February 26, 1914 in Russell, Kansas, the youngest son and middle child of Willis David Beller and Mary Stella Newcomer Beller. He married Rose Olivia Riblet in 1940. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and neighbor. He was a devoted husband and happily married to Rose for 62 years.

After graduating from Russell High School he graduated from the University of Kansas in 1937 and the University of Kansas Medical School in 1941. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during WWII, landing at Omaha beach shortly after the invasion of Europe and remaining in Europe until after the end of the war. Returning to the United States, he became a Board certified radiologist and moved to Topeka in 1949.

After ten years as a radiologist in Topeka, he co-founded Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, the first incorporated medical practice in the U.S., which has since grown to over 24 physicians. He retired from radiology in 1980. He served as chief-of-staff of St. Francis Hospital and as an officer of the Shawnee County Medical Society and the Kansas Radiological Society. He was instrumental in Radiology and Nuclear Medicine receiving the Stormont-Vail Foundation Bal Jeffrey award in 1999. In gratitude for the education he received at the University of Kansas, Dr. Beller contributed to the support of the Medical School. In his memory and that of his wife Rose, the School named a room in the Kansas Life Sciences Innovation Center the "Willis L. & Rose O. Riblet Beller Conference Center".

Dr. Beller was a supportive and faithful member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Topeka for 60 years, serving as an elder and remaining active until his death. During his life he was also active in the Topeka Lions Club and the Boy Scouts of America, his two sons becoming Eagle Scouts.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose, for whom he devotedly cared through a long illness until her death in 2002. He is survived by his three children: David L Beller, Friday Harbor, WA, Dr. Thomas A Beller, Overland Park, KS, and Margaret R Beller, Denver, CO; by his four granddaughters: Emily A Beller, Abby Beller Zink, and Allison E Beller of Seattle, WA, and Lindsey A Beller of Overland Park, KS; and by his siblings: Rachael Dougherty of Vallejo, CA, Marjorie Grosz and George Beller of Denver, CO.

Family will greet friends at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday January 18th. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 19th, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1275 SW Boswell, Topeka, KS 66604. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church or the University of Kansas Medical School, sent in care of Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS 66610.