Byron Arthur Abbott, age 69, died on December 20, 2015, in Little Rock, AR, from complications relating to multiple myeloma, squamous cell carcinoma, and chronic kidney disease.
Byron is survived by his wife Kathryn Godek (Kasha) Abbott, of Miami, FL; his sister, Patricia Krouse (James), of Ft. Myers, FL. He is preceded in death by his mother, Virginia F. Abbott, and his father, Walter F. Abbott, of Miami, FL.
Byron was born November 11, 1946 in Miami. He played football on the 1963 State Championship team, was honored as an All City tackle for 1963; graduated Coral Gables High School 1964.
He graduated from The Citadel Class of ’68 with a BS Electrical Engineering; received an ROTC Commission in the USAF. Byron did graduate work at the University of Miami and received MSEE (Telecommunications) at the University of Colorado Boulder, 1974.
He entered military service February 1970 with the Unites States Air Force. He was a student, project officer, maintenance engineer, graduate student, instructor, radar evaluation officer, workload support division chief, and deputy chief engineering management division. His overseas assignments were to Vietnam ’72, received the Bronze Star March ’72; and in ’81-’84 he was a Site Management Officer for the NATO Integrated Communications System Management Agency. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, March 1990 while serving as Deputy Chief Engineering Management Division, Engineering Installation Division, Tinker AFB, OK.
In former times Byron enjoyed hiking, skiing, sailing Hobies, and doing research projects. While retired he volunteered as an instructor in basic computer programs and internet use for retirees. He was an arbitrator for the BBB before returning to his computers, sporting events, research and reading. His family and friends will always remember him as a quiet person with a quick wit who loved all sports, had a dry sense of humor, and loved to engage in current topics.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2016, at 11:00am, at the Stanfill Funeral Home, 10545 S. Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL 33156. The family would like to thank the University of Arkansas Medical Science-Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, the UAMS Medical Center, The Miami Kidney Group, and The Miami Cancer Institute for outstanding care and their contributions to research and treatment of cancer and related diseases.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to UAMS Myeloma Institute for Research & Therapy, 4301 W. Markham Street, Slot 816 Attn: Jennifer Gurley, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199; or to The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409-6130.
Posted in: Miami Herald
Posted on: 2015-12-22
Link to original obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/herald/obituary.aspx?pid=176986042