Abbe A Ledbetter MD

Throughout his life, Abbe took great pride that he was a native Houstonian and a product of Houston public schools. He was born on the 14th of July 1934, to Elise Fonville Ledbetter and Dr. Abbe A. Ledbetter, Sr. He often spoke fondly of his years at River Oaks Elementary School, Sidney Lanier Junior High School, and Lamar High School. During his years at Lamar, Abbe was city doubles tennis champion for three years and also became the state doubles tennis champion with his close friend and tennis partner, Neil Blanton.

Even though Harvard University awarded Abbe the Harvard Book Award in his junior year at Lamar and offered him admission, he chose instead to attend the University of Texas at Austin, Plan II. He never regretted this decision. At the University of Texas, Abbe became a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and was thrilled to take part in his fraternity’s winning streak in intramural football. He also played on the University of Texas tennis team. Abbe remained a life-long, avid Longhorn fan. He supported the University through the Longhorn Foundation, and was honored to hold Texas Exes Life Member Number 446.

After he graduated from the University of Texas, Abbe attended the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and became a member of Alpha Kappa Kappa Medical Fraternity. He completed his Internship and Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Oklahoma. In 1962, the United States Army drafted Abbe into the Medical Corps, and he was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. He proudly served as Chief of Medical Services, received the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service, and attained the rank of Captain. After his Army service, Abbe then obtained additional medical training as a Resident in Internal Medicine in Cardiology and as a National Institute of Health Fellow at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Once he completed his medical education, Abbe returned to his beloved hometown to practice medicine at The Ledbetter Clinic. His father, Dr. Abbe A. Ledbetter, Sr. and his uncle, Dr. Paul V. Ledbetter, had formed The Ledbetter Clinic – the first internal medicine clinic in Houston. Many prominent physicians trained and began their practices at The Ledbetter Clinic before moving on to open their own clinics and practices. Later, in mid-life, Abbe became interested in emerging medical science; he trained at the Pan American Allergy Society in allergy medicine, which he practiced for the remainder of his career. Abbe loved practicing medicine, and especially valued the lasting relationships he developed with his patients.

In addition to caring for his patients, Abbe enjoyed the outdoors, and could often be found bird hunting with friends and family, or playing tennis or golf. And, of course, he could be found in Austin at Memorial Stadium cheering on his Longhorns on most gamedays during football season. After he retired, Abbe and Linda also enjoyed travelling together and going out to dinner with friends. Most of all, Abbe adored family celebrations with the love, laughter, and, of course, delicious meals, they entailed.

Abbe’s love for his family was his most defining characteristic. His parents, his beloved son Abbe A. Ledbetter, V, and his sister, Barbara Ledbetter Britt, predeceased him. Abbe’s beloved wife of 42 years, Linda Tautenhahn Ledbetter, survives him. His surviving family also includes his daughter, Heather Ledbetter Kearney and her husband, Wayne, his son Russell Goodloe Ledbetter, his grandchildren, John Stuart Anthony (Jack) Faulkner, Jr. and Bridget Elise Kearney, his brother, Dale Ledbetter and Dale’s wife, Kate, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A man of deep faith, Abbe was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and was especially blessed to be a member of the Houston West Emmaus Group and of the Board of Stewards. He and Linda enjoyed their Lenten group, with whom they met throughout the year. It was also important to Abbe to contribute to the civic and cultural life of Houston, a city that he loved. In addition to numerous medical associations, he was also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Houston and active member and past president of the Retired Physicians Organization. He was also a member of River Oaks Country Club and Allegro.

Abbe enjoyed a lifetime of friendship from growing up, working, and living in Houston. He was a devoted husband and father, a dedicated and humble physician, and an encouraging and loyal friend. He was an adoring grandfather who loved to watch his grandchildren grow and thrive. Abbe’s sweet spirit, kindness, positive attitude and gentle and fun-loving sense of humor enabled him to make friends wherever he went. Everyone who knew and loved him will miss his warm smile and the friendly twinkle in his eye.

The family conveys their deepest thanks to Dr. Dawn Stoecker-Simon, Dr. Peter Chang as well as the doctors, nurses, and medical caregivers at M.D. Anderson, especially Dr. Elizabet Manasanch. They are also particularly grateful to Travis Stiegman, Abbe’s trainer and friend, for his many years of dedicated service and care.

Abbe’s s grandson and nephews are privileged to serve as his honorary pallbearers.

Friends are cordially invited to gather and share remembrances of Dr. Ledbetter with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening on Thursday, the 24th of August, in the grand foyer of Geo H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 25th of August, in the Sanctuary of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Rev. Bill Denham, Pastor of Caring Ministries is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family suggests memorial contributions be directed to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 22013, Houston, Texas 77227-2013; or to charity of one's choice.