Abraham Michael BESSERMAN

BESSERMAN, Abraham Michael

("Abe", "Abrao", "Doc", "Dr. B", "Vovo", "Grandpa B"), 78, of Austin, Texas passed away on November 2, 2013. He was born on March 19, 1935 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Abe graduated from the National School of Medicine in 1960 in Rio de Janeiro. He served as a surgical resident from 1961-1965 at hospitals in Rio de Janeiro; Hartford, Connecticut; New York City and Miami, Florida. From 1966-1968, Abe served as Chief Resident in Pediatric Surgery at Winnipeg's Children Hospital and Cumberland Medical Center in Montreal, Canada. From 1968-1972, he served as Chief Resident in General Surgery in Johnson City, New York; Chief Resident in Pediatric Surgery in Brooklyn, New York; Clinical Instructor in Pediatric Surgery at the New Jersey School of Medicine and Martland Hospital in Newark, New Jersey; and Attending Surgeon in Pediatric Surgery at Children's Hospital, St. Michael's Hospital, and Mountainside Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. In 1972 he moved with his family to Austin, Texas and became the first Pediatric Surgeon in Austin. From 1972-2001 he was the Attending Pediatric Surgeon at Brackenridge, Seton Medical Center, and St. David's Hospital. In 2001 he became the Medical Director for Amil International Health Insurance. He retired in 2006.

He was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, American Pediatric Surgical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, International College of Surgeons; a founding fellow of the Brazilian Society of Pediatric Surgeons; and a member of the British Association of Pediatric Surgeons, Texas Society of Pediatric Surgeons, Texas Pediatric Society, Travis County Medical Association and the Texas Medical Association.

Abe married Suzanne on January 2, 1965 in New Jersey. Abe is survived by his wife of 48 years; his son Kenneth and his wife Anna-Karin and their daughter, Rebekah, of Austin; his daughter Karen of Seattle; and son Marc and Valerie and their children, Brodie and Morgan of Austin; and many nieces, nephews and cousins in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Israel and New Jersey. He was preceded in death by his parents, Froim and Frieda Besserman, his sister Helena Besserman Vianna and husband Luis, and his grandson Gabriel Besserman.

Abe loved life and was well-known and will be remembered for telling good stories and great jokes. He was an avid reader and crossword puzzle enthusiast, but most important to him, he was extremely proud of his family, children and grandchildren.

The family will hold a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the memory of Dr. Abraham Besserman to Dell Children's Hospital or Hospice Austin.