Ben Z. Abella, M.D, 80, of Kansas City, Mo., passed away Sunday, March 4, 2007, at Research Medical Center from injuries sustained during a car accident. He will always be remembered for his tremendous love for people, unselfish heart, and dedication to his profession. He was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend who will be greatly missed.
He was born Bienvenido Zuleta Abella in Abucay a province of Bataan, Philippines to Domingo and Benita Abella in 1926. He graduated from the University of the Philippines, undergraduate (1948) and University of Santa Tomas Medical School (1952). Immediately following graduation, he came to the United States to undertake his internship at St. Joseph Hospital, Elmira N.Y., and later entered his residency at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, in general and orthopedic surgery. He served as a physician in the United States Peace Corp from 1961 to 1963. Upon his return to Kansas City in 1964, he joined the practice of Dr. Harry B. Overesch and served on the staff of many area hospitals. He was a member of the first trauma team at Research Medical Center. In 1969, he established his private practice in Belton, Mo. Throughout his 50 years of practice, he was involved with numerous medical organizations and also volunteered his medical talents to organizations such as the Boy Scouts, Golden Gloves Boxing Assoc, and O'Hara HS Football. He lived a full life enjoying family, friends, Chiefs football, KU basketball, casinos, playing ping-pong, coaching volleyball and badminton. Most recently, he enjoyed sharing his talents through medical missions in the Philippines, Mexico and Guatemala.
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