Leigh Abts Obituary

Leigh R. Abts, Ph.D., born July 23, 1951, in Elgin, Illinois, to Gwyneth and Harold Abts, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Saturday, July 26, after a long fight with cancer. Upon graduating from Geneva High School in 1969, Leigh went on to earn his Sc.B. and Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Brown University. In 1979, he married Lois, his loving wife of 46 years and mother to their two sons. Leigh was both an entrepreneur and an academic. He helped start the companies MicroPure and FutureHealth, later holding positions at Johns Hopkins University. He eventually joined the faculty of the University of Maryland, College Park, where he became a national leader in STEM education reform, championing inclusive engineering instruction and assessment. Leigh also enjoyed traveling, including memorable trips driving across the country and rafting through the Grand Canyon with his sons.

Leigh is survived by his wife, Lois; son, David; son, Brian, and his wife, Marcie; grandson, Liam; brother, Michael; and several nieces and nephews. His family gives their thanks to Sinai Hospital, as well as to the volunteer fire companies of Cockeysville and Jacksonville, for all their help.

Services were held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Cockeysville, MD on Friday, August 1. Interment followed at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.peacefulalternatives.com.