Dr. Robert N. Arrol’s years of dedication to his patients as family physician and surgeon spanned five decades in the Arcola community. Generations of families in Arcola and the surrounding area have been served by his life’s work.

Dr. Arrol was born November 19, 1939 in Kokomo, IN, the only child of Robert and Betty Hancock Arrol. His family moved to Arcola in 1948 when his father, a pharmacist, purchased the local drugstore. He was the American Legion award recipient, yearbook co-editor and graduated at the top of his Arcola High School class of 1957. As an All-Okaw Honorable Mention basketball athlete, Arrol distinguished himself by making the first Arcola foul in the new high school gymnasium his senior year. Following high school, Dr. Arrol attended Tulane University in New Orleans, LA where he earned a B.S. in psychology and a minor in chemistry in 1962. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity and Alpha Epsilon Delta national premedical honor society. He continued his studies at Tulane University School of Medicine where he met Priscilla “Pris” Bolles, a recent graduate of Charity Hospital’s School of Nursing. They were married October 19, 1963 in Metairie, LA. Dr. Arrol was a member of Nu Sigma Nu Professional Medical fraternity and attained his medical degree from Tulane in 1964. Following medical school, Dr. Arrol served a general rotating internship at Decatur-Macon County Hospital (1964-65), then returned to Arcola to begin his private practice of medicine at 126 South Locust Street on August 9, 1965. In just a few short months, with American involvement increasing in Vietnam, Dr. Arrol was called to serve as Captain in the Medical Corp. 1094th Support Squadron of the United Sates Air Force. He was the sole physician and surgeon serving Manzano Base outside Albuquerque, NM (March 1966 - March 1968). For his dedicated service, Dr. Arrol was presented the Joint Service Commendation Medal.

Dr. Arrol and his family returned home to Arcola to resume his private practice of medicine on April 1, 1968. He was certified as Diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice (1977-2006). In 1980 he was distinguished as a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians with a specialty in Family Practice. During his many years of practice, Dr. Arrol’s medical staff privileges included Douglas Jarman Memorial Hospital, Provena-Covenant Hospital and Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. He was a member of the American Medical Association, Illinois State Medical Society, Douglas County Medical Society, Douglas County Board of Health, Central Illinois Physician Association, Inc. and is a Life Member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He also received the American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award for continuing education and good standing 1978-2006. During his more than forty years as medical student, intern, military base physician and local family physician, Dr. Arrol delivered an estimated 1,700 babies. At the time of his retirement in 2006, the Illinois State Senate recognized Dr. Arrol for his many years of dedicated service to his patients and the medical profession.

Our community benefits from Dr. Arrol’s continuing service through American Legion (1968-present), Arcola Unit Dist. #306 Board of Education (1971-1977 and 2010-present), Arcola Foundation Board of Governors (2008–present), Arcola Public Library Board of Trustees (2008–present) and Arcola Alumni Association Board of Directors (2008–present). He is also a Life Member of Arcola Foundation and Museum Association of Douglas County. He and Pris were recognized as 2005 Grand Marshals of the Arcola Broom Corn Festival for their many years of dedicated service to our community. Dr. Arrol was also chosen 2011 Arcola Rotary Club Citizen of the Year.

Dr. Arrol gives much credit to Pris for raising their family while he was so involved with his medical practice. They are the parents of Tracy, Robert, Kerri Jo and their youngest, Scott, who died of leukemia in 1975. Dr. Arrol and Pris are the proud grandparents of eleven grandchildren.