William Michael Stephen Nesbit M.D.

William Michael Stephen Nesbit, M.D.

May 29, 1936 - December 15, 2020

Charlotte, North Carolina - William Michael Stephen Nesbit, M.D., 84, of Charlotte, passed away December 15, 2020. Mike was born in Brevard, NC to Edith and Arthur Nesbit. His father was a Colonel in the Army and, during Mike's formative years, was called to be a lawyer in the Nuremberg Trials. Mike attended school in Berlin, Einsiedeln Switzerland, and Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN. He liked to tell about the time he accidentally paddled his kayak into East Berlin and met with the business side of a machine gun.

Mike earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Virginia, where he was on the Polo Team, Varsity Wrestling Team, and in Zeta Psi Fraternity.

Mike met Pat, who was a nurse, while doing his medical internship in Boston. Mike was devoted to Pat, and she to him; a team for the ages.

In 1969, after serving in the Navy, Mike's family of five moved to Charlotte where he became one of the first neurologists in the city. He eventually became the Medical Director of Chronic Pain at the Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation, and the Chairman of The Department of Neurology of Nalle Clinic. Mike always felt it a privilege to practice amongst and serve with some of the finest doctors in the state.

Mike loved his children and they knew it. He never missed a teacher conference, and rarely missed a ball game. Mike took each child on Sunday rounds at the hospital and to lunch for special time alone. He spent countless hours pulling them and their friends behind a ski boat. He took the family to Vail, CO for an annual ski trip; a tradition continued by his sons today, taking their own sons skiing each year. Mike instilled in his children a great curiosity, a sense of fairness, an impeccable work ethic, and a love for family.

Mike ("Papa") adored his seven perfect grandchildren and was known in the family for the personal blessings he gave at each family gathering. Papa hosted an annual beach trip that allowed the cousins to be together and become life-long friends.

If you knew Mike, you knew him to be humble and kind. He was both a gentleman and a gentle man. He had a smile that made you feel like seeing you was the best part of his day. He was a healer, and displayed extraordinary kindness and compassion for his patients. He had a great love for his friends, his University, running and biking. But he loved his family most of all.

Mike is survived by his wife, Pat; his children, Chris Nesbit (Angela), Dr. Mark Nesbit (Amy), and Rebecca Riopel (Mark); his grandchildren, Cameron, Jocelyn, Macy, Becca, Elizabeth Rose, Christopher, and Joshua; his brother, Patrick Nesbit (Myrna); and his nephew, LTC Robert Nesbit (Janelle).

Due to the pandemic, a service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Christ Church Charlotte or Hospice & Palliative Care.