Dr. Abbas E. Kitabchi

Dr. Abbas E. Kitabchi

Memphis, TN

Dr. Abbas Eqbal Kitabchi, 82, of Memphis, TN, passed peacefully in his home surrounded by family on July 18, 2016. Dr. Kitabchi, known to family and friends as Abby, was born in Tehran, Iran on August 28, 1933. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hossein and Fatimeh Kitabchi, his two sisters Moluq Arabshahi and Monir Grier, and his two brothers Javod Kitabchi and Jafar Kitabchi.

Dr. Kitabchi is survived by his loving wife Lynn of 19 years; four daughters, Karen Hale of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Kathy (Paul) Fullerton of St. Louis, MO, Kelly (Michael) Pfrommer of Memphis, TN, and Karly (Hunter) Vitello of Birmingham; stepdaughters Carissa (Brad) Shumaker of Olive Branch, MS, and Blake Elizabeth Means of Memphis, TN; sister Parvin Jahrome and brother Mohammad Kitabchi; and many loving grandchildren (Adam Hale, Sarah and Paul Fullerton, Hannah and John Michael Pfrommer, Mariella, Isla, and Amelia Shumaker); great-grandchildren (Ben and Jacob Fullerton); nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Dr. Abbas Kitabchi came to America alone as a 17-year-old Iranian student in the early 1950's; he was the first in his family to emigrate to the U.S., and many of his family members followed him. Dr. Kitabchi knew from an early age that he wanted to become a physician, so he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell College and went on to earn master's, doctorate, and medical degrees from the University of Oklahoma. After his fellowship in Endocrinology at the University of Washington in Seattle, he was recruited to Memphis by the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, first as Associate Chief of Staff for Research & Education at the VA Hospital and then as Director of Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism at UTHSC. He was also Director of the Clinical Research Center at UTHSC and was a tenured Professor of Medicine and Molecular Sciences. His research, medical practice and teaching spanned over 45 years.

Dr. Kitabchi served as principal investigator or co-principal investigator for four multicenter National Institutes of Health-sponsored studies (DCCT/EDIC, DPP/DPOS, Look Ahead and GRADE) and was principal investigator for numerous medical grants. He authored over 300 articles, book chapters and journal reviews, and enjoyed teaching and speaking all over the world.

His pioneering work on diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and its therapy using low dose insulin provided guidelines for the ADA and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. The treatment approach championed by Dr. Kitabchi has become the standard therapy for DKA and has been adopted by physicians worldwide. Prior to 1980, the mortality rate for this condition in the U.S. was in excess of 15%. With Dr. Kitabchi's elegantly simple protocol, the mortality rate fell to 1%.

Abby was the beloved patriarch of his family. His love for his family, friends, patients and colleagues gave him a drive to dedicate his life to helping, nurturing and mentoring others. He had a deep, life-long love of learning which he instilled in his daughters. In the practice of medicine and with his family and many friends, he brought life and love into everything he touched. He had a passion for travel and other cultures that spanned the world. He loved time with his family, especially cooking Persian food together with them.

Visitation will be at the Memphis Funeral Home at 5599 Poplar Avenue in Memphis on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 from 5-8 p.m. Funeral services will be at Memphis Funeral Home on Thursday, July 21 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Abbas E. Kitabchi Endowed Lecture and Visiting Professorship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 920 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163.