Robert Hanen Carnighan

Robert Hanen Carnighan of Louisville, passed away quietly on October 12, 2025. He was 87 years old. He lived his life fully, enthusiastically, and on his own terms until his very last breath.
Robert "Bob" Carnighan was born in Louisville, KY on November 18, 1937. He graduated from DuPont Manual High School and then earned a BS in chemistry at Kenyon College, where he served as president and social chairman of Delta Kappa Epsilon. Bob received his PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, followed by medical school at Vanderbilt University. He completed his residency at Washington University Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Duke University as well as a clinical pathology fellowship at the Medical College of Virginia. After serving two years as a pathologist in the Air Force in South Carolina, where he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, he returned to Louisville to begin his civilian career at Suburban Hospital. He co-founded Clinical Pathology Associates (CPA), which remains thriving today, and later joined Baptist East Hospital, serving one term as medical staff president and practicing for many years before retiring.
His playful spirit, quick wit, and intellectual brilliance will be missed, but his work ethic, boundless curiosity, and loyalty to family and friends will continue to inspire us.
Bob is survived by his wife of 40 years, Carol Wiedmer Carnighan, his daughter, Kathryn Anne Carnighan, his sister, Mary Ellen Weaver, and his grandchildren, Poppy, Paxton, and Piper Kuhn.
Bob was preceded in death by his son, Micheal Andrew Carnighan, and his parents, Ellen Gates Carnighan and Robert Mesmer Carnighan.
Visitation will be at Pearson Funeral Home on Friday, October 24, from 3:00 to 7:00pm. A private burial will be held at Cave Hill Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Filson Club or the Parklands of Floyds Fork. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert, please visit our floral store.