Melvin Nathan Abend

Dr. Melvin Nathan Abend, 86, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026, surrounded by family. Born on August 5, 1939, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Irving and Martha (Maltzman) Abend, Mel graduated from Southwest High School in 1957. He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he met his first wife, Sama Sanditen Hoffman, and earned his degree in 1961. He went on to receive his MD from the University of Missouri Columbia School of Medicine in 1965.

Following medical school, Mel completed an internship at St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, served in the United States Public Health Service, and then spent seven years at Tulane University as a resident in general and plastic surgery. He concluded his training with a prestigious hand fellowship in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1975, he returned to Kansas City to support his recently widowed sister and establish his private practice. A highly respected surgeon, he was known for his dedication to patients and his willingness to help anyone in need. In 1985, a serious illness ended his clinical career, but after a remarkable recovery, he continued contributing to medicine for many years through his work at the Missouri Board of Healing Arts, retiring at age 82.

Mel possessed a lifelong love of learning that began in childhood, when his favorite book was the encyclopedia. He remained endlessly curious, always reading, researching, and listening to others’ stories. He cherished time with friends over lunch, cheering for the Chiefs, discovering new gadgets, joking with his sisters, and most of all, spending time with his children and grandchildren. Known for his charm, brilliance, charisma, and resilience, Mel never met a stranger. He was playful, quick to smile, and often the life of the party—qualities that earned him the affectionate nickname “Mayor of Meadowbrook Senior Living” in his final years.

He was 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. He was a proud and deeply involved grandfather who never missed an opportunity to support his grandchildren, and he will be remembered as their playful, smiley, indulgent, and loving Gramps.