Melvin Abend

Dr. Melvin Nathan Abend, 86, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 surrounded by family.

Mel was born August 5, 1939, in Kansas City, Missouri to Irving and Martha (Maltzman) Abend. He graduated from Southwest High School in 1957, then attended the University of Oklahoma, where he met his first wife, Sama Sanditen Hoffman, and graduated in 1961. He then went on to earn his MD at the University of Missouri Columbia School of Medicine in 1965.

To continue his medical training, he moved to Tulsa, OK to complete an internship at St. John's Hospital, then served in the United States Public Health Service. From there, he went on to Tulane University to spend five years as a general surgery resident and two years as a plastic surgery resident. Finally, he completed his medical training with a prestigious hand fellowship in Louisville, Kentucky.

In 1975, Mel moved his family back to his hometown of Kansas City to support his recently widowed sister and start his private practice. He quickly became a very well respected surgeon who was always the first to volunteer to help someone in need. He made a significant impact on his community and a lasting difference in his patients' lives during his time in private practice.

In 1985, he tragically developed a significant illness that prevented him from returning to clinical practice. However, after his miraculous recovery, he was able to continue his enjoyment of medicine by working at the Missouri Board of Healing Arts for many decades. Despite having to give up clinical practice, he found great joy working so closely with other doctors and staff for the betterment of the medical world and retired at the age of 82.

Even outside of his career, Mel loved learning. His sisters always said that as a child, his favorite book was the encyclopedia. He carried his curiosity for the rest of his life, always reading, researching, and learning other people's stories. He loved lunch with the guys, cheering on the Chiefs, getting new gadgets, joking with his sisters and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was known for his charm, brilliance, charisma, resilience and ability to make others smile. He never met a stranger and was funny, playful and often described as the life of the party. Mel carried his joviality with him until the end, even being dubbed the Mayor of Meadowbrook Senior Living

Mel has a large extended family that was very important to him. He was particularly proud of his daughters and grandchildren. He was the most doting and involved grandfather who never failed to show up for his grandchildren. Mel was incredibly adored by his family and will be deeply missed. He will forever be remembered as our playful, smiley, indulgent and loving Gramps.

He is preceded in death by his daughter Nicole Abend Nenon; his parents; and his sisters, Ruth Krigel Tivol and Marsha Goldman.

Mel is survived by his daughters Denise Chamblee (Gary Tanner), Janna Pinsky (Steve), and Melanie Leeves (Jason); son-in-law Chris Nenon; grandchildren Jordan, Devon, and Cole Nenon, Gillian and Kendall Pinsky, Mason, MacKennon, and Maddox Leeves; great-grandson Graham Woodard; first wife Sama Sanditen Hoffman; nieces and nephews Merilyn Berenbom (Loren), Kathy Krigel Hawley, James Krigel (Felicia), Joel Goldman (Hildy), and Susan Tivol (Tom); cousins Steve Abend (Barbara) and Yigal Rotman (Miriam), and many other extended family members and friends.

The family extends our deepest appreciation to his caretaker Jackie, and Oscar and all the staff at Meadowbrook Senior Living for their care and compassion over the last few years.

A private graveside service was held on March 6, 2026 at Rose Hill Cemetery in Kansas City, MO, with a celebration of life to be planned over the coming months. We ask that those wishing to honor Mel's life donate to the Nicole Nenon Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation (https://www.jcfkc.org/nicole-nenon-fund.html) or a charity of your choice.