Kenneth Harvey Abbott II was born in Upland, Calif., to Kenneth H. Abbott, M.D. and Mariann Donnelly on May 28, 1937. He was delivered by his grandfather, Frank Abbott, M.D.
He spent his early years in Rochester MN, where his father was trained as a neurosurgeon at the Mayo Clinic, and Worthington Ohio where his father set up practice. He attended college at Pacific Union College in Angwin, Calif., where he studied pre-med. He married Josephine Garrard on Aug. 27, 1959. Ken graduated from medical school in 1963 at College of Medical Evangelists, now known as Loma Linda University and School of Medicine, and took his residency at Providence Hospital in Seattle WA. His plans for a residency at the Mayo Clinic were interrupted by the draft for the Vietnam War. He joined the Air Force in 1964 and went on to become a Flight Surgeon, during which time he successfully completed his boards in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology at M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute in Houston Texas. While stationed at Tachikawa Air Force Base, Japan, Dr. Abbott held the position of Chief of Radiology. He held the same position while stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, in Tampa, Florida.
Dr. Abbott received an honorable discharge holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, though he was offered the rank of full Colonel as enticement to remain. He served his country for 13 years. He went on to practice radiology in California, Kentucky, and Tennessee. While in California, he held a position as an associate professor at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He last practiced at the Imaging Center in Murfreesboro where he retired in 2004. In retirement, he was an elder in the McMinnville Seventh Day Adventist Church. His hobbies included photography, and he was awarded the title of Master Photographer in the Cookeville Camera Club. He loved birds, watching and feeding them, as well as watching sunsets, appreciating his garden and trees, and taking walks. But above all, he loved his God and his large, four-generation family. Following a brief hospital stay, he died peacefully on June 25 at his residence, surrounded by loved ones.
Dr. Abbott is survived by his wife, his children and their spouses, Kenneth Harvey Abbott III and Tamara Abbott of Seattle, WA, Debi Abbott Rockwell and Leyn Rockwell of McMinnville, Darlene Abbott Ortner and Jere Ortner of Santa Rosa, Calif., Dr. Renee Abbott Salansky and Greg Salansky of Morristown, and Dr. Mark James Bolton and Karen Ruzak Bolton of Albany, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; numerous children and grandchildren by choice; brother and sister-in-law, James Abbott, DDS and Lori Abbott of Santa Rosa; sister and brother-in-law, Dr. Julie Abbott League and Gary League of Murrieta, CA; and several nieces and nephews.
There will be a memorial service held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 1 at McMinnville Seventh Day Adventist Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Faulkner Springs Christian School. Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.
High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.