Abner Griswold "Biff" Bevin

Abner Griswold "Biff" Bevin, Jr, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut, on December 7, 1935, to Abner and Thelma Bevin. A graduate of Wesleyan University in 1956, he pursued a medical degree at Yale University School of Medicine, graduating in 1960. He completed a six-year surgical residency at Yale followed by a Fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the UNC School of Medicine in 1967, which brought him to Chapel Hill where he happily resided the rest of his life. He joined the UNC faculty and served from 1967-1995 as Chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Surgery of the Hand. He served a term as president of the NC Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and was instrumental in establishing the UNC Burn Center, which he conceptualized in 1971 and saw through to its opening in 1980 and beyond, providing life-changing reconstructive surgery to burn patients.

As a teenager, Biff met his beloved Priscilla at Lake Pocotopaug, in East Hampton, CT, where both of their families had summer cottages. Biff knew immediately that Priscilla was "the one" and the two were married on June 28, 1958 and settled in New Haven, CT for his medical career and to begin their family. Four of the five Bevin children were born during their time in New Haven, with the fifth arriving after their move to Chapel Hill, NC. When not at the hospital, he filled nearly every waking moment with a multitude of interests including photography, gardening, restoring old cars, cooking and baking, and following the Tar Heels. When his wife of 51 years became ill, Biff dedicated his life to caring for her, delighting in her positive attitude and radiant spirit. Following the passing of Priscilla in 2009, Biff remarked that his role had shifted to "volunteer Supervisor of our five grown offspring and Assistant Mentor of our six semi-grown grandchildren." He embraced these roles with vigor and they gave him great pride and pleasure! He had a brilliant mind and his life was filled with an insatiable curiosity and as such, he was an expert on many subjects. He loved sharing his thoughts and wisdom with all who would listen and his many stories will live on, providing loved ones with a trove of memories.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Priscilla, and his sister Laura Day Bevin Zschock. He is survived by his five children and their families: Tim and Teresa Bevin of Wilmington, Barbara and Jack Mercer of Mount Pleasant, SC, Chris and Debbie Bevin of Chapel Hill, Jennifer and Mike Wynn of Chapel Hill, and Alison and Bruce Young of Knightdale; and six grandchildren, Cameron Mercer, Kendall (Dylan) Thompson, Alison (Danielle O'Leary) Wynn, Sara Wynn, Marshall Bevin and Charlotte Bevin.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Biff's memory to the University Presbyterian Church Foundations of Faith campaign. (upcch.org)