Karl D. Ludwig M.D.

Karl D. Ludwig, M.D., age 95, of Pittsburgh, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

Beloved husband of Darlene F. Ludwig; father of John Ludwig, Karl Ludwig (Laurie), Elizabeth Craig (James), Mark Ludwig (Tracey), Michael Ludwig (Deborah), and Sharon Ludwig; grandfather of Sara Gutting (Justin), Suzanne Craig, Johnny Ludwig, Joseph Craig, Karl Ludwig, Matthew Ludwig, and Kole Ludwig; great-grandfather of Samuel, Kate, and Lucy Gutting. He is preceded in death by his parents, Katheryn (Palmer) and Karl Ludwig and by his siblings.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, September 3 at 10:30am at Regina Coeli Parish, St. John Neumann Church. Arrangements entrusted to Schellhaas & Sons Funeral Home, Inc. (Franklin Park)

With 35 years of professional experience, Karl David Ludwig, MD, was the director of inpatient psychiatry at Sewickley Valley Hospital from 1981 to 1995 and an assistant medical director of the Staunton Clinic from 1990 to 1995. Prior to obtaining these roles, he was the superintendent of Dixmont State Hospital from 1980 to 1981 and a clinical director of the Northeast Community Mental Health Center from 1973 to 1980, where he was previously the chief of outpatient services in 1973. Earlier in his career, he was a consultant for the Coatesville VA Hospital from 1968 to 1970, a staff psychiatrist at Haverford State Hospital from 1964 to 1971, and a research psychiatrist and the director of the alcoholism program at Friends Hospital from 1966 to 1973.

Dr. Ludwig's military career began when he served in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps from 1954 to 1956, additionally working in the chemistry labs of the Fort Knox Army Hospital from 1954 to 1955 and the Fort Eustis Army Hospital from 1955 to 1956. He was discharged from active duty as a Private First Class. Dr. Ludwig was commissioned as an officer in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Navy in 1957 and served as a commissioned officer for 33 years, working in hospitals and abroad ships and naval installations in the U.S., Spain and Italy. He retired in 1990 with the rank of Captain.

Dr. Ludwig first pursued an education with St. Vincent College, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in biology in 1952. He continued his education with The Pennsylvania State University, completing postgraduate coursework from 1952 to 1953, and he completed further coursework with St. Mary's Seminary and University from 1953 to 1954. He subsequently earned a Doctor of Medicine with the University of Pittsburgh in 1960, and joined the U.S. Naval Hospital for an internship from 1960 to 1961. He later held a residency in psychiatry with the Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute from 1961 to 1964 and a fellowship in psychiatric research and teaching with the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University from 1964 to 1966.

A respected voice in his areas of interest, Dr. Ludwig has been active with a number of professional organizations. A distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society and the Pittsburgh Psychiatric Society, he is also a life member of the American Medical Association, the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the Allegheny County Medical Society. He is a life member of the Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S., the Navy League of the U.S., the American Legion, the Association of the U.S. Navy, the Military Officer Association of the U.S. and the Military Order of the World Wars. He has been featured in numerous honors publications, including multiple editions of Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare, Who's Who in Science and Engineering, Who's Who in the East and Who's Who in the World.