Kenneth Medley Beilman M.D.

Kenneth Medley Beilman, M.D., age 75, of Louisville, passed away on Thursday, December 26th, at Baptist Health Louisville after a month-long illness. Ken was born on May 16th, 1949, the first of six children.
Ken grew up in Louisville and attended St. Agnes Catholic School, St. Xavier High School and Bellarmine University. After college, Ken followed in his father's footsteps and went to the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. Ken began his medical career as an ER doctor at Suburban Hospital and St. Mary's for 10 years before taking over his father's practice. Ken practiced as a solo internal medicine physician for
30 years, retiring in June 2015.
Ken inherited his love for music from his mother, who was a pianist. Over the years, he became an accomplished jazz pianist and was very proud to have played with many of the local professional musicians. Ken gifted Louisville with 20 years of Celebration of Jazz parties, spotlighting local and national musicians, performing for family and friends.
Ken and his devoted partner, Diane Kelton, traveled the world, hosted many jazz parties and dinners, attempted to become wine connoisseurs, enjoyed the arts, fine dining, and best of all, time with family and friends. While Diane did the planning, Ken documented their many good times with his amazing photography skills. To Diane, Ken was her "cute guy." There was no one prouder than Ken to answer when Diane was asked what she did, with his response being that she runs a health club with 200 employees and 5,000 clients.
Ken took his hobbies of music and photography as seriously as his medical career and made great efforts to understand the language of both. He was very proud of his bourbon heritage from the Medley family and never tired of telling the history of his family continuously distilling bourbon for over 250 years.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Henry Joseph "Hank" Beilman (Scranton, Pa.) and Eleanor Ann Medley Beilman (Owensboro, Ky.).
Ken is survived by his partner, Diane Kelton; and his siblings, Mary "Mimi" Martin (John), Ann Thornberry (Bruce, deceased), H. Christopher "Chris" Beilman (Anita), Lynne Cundiff (Don) and Kurt Beilman (Alexa, deceased), and many loving nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Ken's life will be held with a visitation on Sunday, January 12th, 3:00 pm -7:00 pm, at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road.
As a tribute to Ken's love for music, there will be live jazz from 5:30 pm –7:00 pm.
Ken's memorial Mass will be Tuesday, January 14th, 4:00 p.m., at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1920 Newburg Road.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ken's memory and to continue Ken's support for the local jazz community may be made to Louisville Jazz Society, P.O. Box 5082, Louisville, KY. 40255.