Christopher Trauth, M.D.

There was nothing “stu ff y” about this doctor, a kind and gentle soul who was a true servant to his patients. He was fun, funny, loving, compassionate and never afraid to shed a tear. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, he grew up in Gretna, a small community on the west bank of the Mississippi River, across from New Orleans.

He was a lover of science, history, art, music, books, nature, gardening, great food, wine and life in general. He LOVED red beans and rice, crawfish étou ff ée, shrimp poor boys, lemon pound cake, shortbread cookies and key lime pie!

He was an avid scuba diver, underwater photographer, a happy sous chef, a grumpy barista, and in earlier years a fierce tennis player. After returning to west Texas from Hawaii, he traded in his dive gear for something more conducive to the flat lands, and became a firearms enthusiast.

From a young age he always knew he wanted to be a doctor, and was inspired by his own family physician. His love of science was fostered by his beloved father, who also had a background in science. Like most scientists, Dr. Trauth had white lab mice that somehow managed to get loose in the house and scare his mother. This was a story he still got a kick out of telling over and over to anyone that would listen.

Dr. Trauth loved people, and devoted the last 37 years of his life to caring for those folks diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders. The past 15 years of his career were spent practicing here in Abilene - first with Dr. Hirsch and later with Hendrick Health System.

He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1970. He graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Medicine - New Orleans, with a Doctor of Medicine in 1974.

In 1977, he entered the first program o ff ered in the speciality of Oncology at University of Texas Health Science Center - San Antonio, Tx. He was one of only two Fellows in the program.

He would go on to open his first practice, and the first Oncology clinic in Lafayette, Louisiana in 1979. Again, in 2004, true to his pioneering spirit, he would open the first Oncology clinic with Kona Community Hospital on the west side of the Big Island of Hawaii. This sorely needed clinic allowed cancer patients access to care without traveling to the opposite side of the island, or waiting for an Oncologist to come to them from the island of Oahu.

The Big Island is also where he married the love of his life, Rita, with whom he would later be blessed with two grandchildren - Davis and Ella Bellew. He cherished and spoiled them as the generous grandfather that he was. They brought him so much joy and laughter until his final day.

In November of 2013, he became board certified in the Clinical Science of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. He’d hoped to semi-retire and begin practice in this new frontier in medicine. His own diagnosis with ALS disease would dictate otherwise.

The family would like to sincerely thank all of those involved in his care; physicians, nurses, private care givers, colleagues, friends, friends of friends, as well as, neighbors and acquaintances who made the final months and years of this gentle soul’s struggle with ALS enjoyable and comfortable.

ALS is a horrific disease. It is Dr. Trauth’s hope (wish) there will be as great a focus on it as there has been for cancer. Time is of the essence with this disease.

A service to celebrate his life is being planned, and will be announced at a later date.