Herbert Melton Loyd, MD

HERBERT MELTON LOYD, M.D. passed away on August 20, 2017 at age 83 in Abilene, TX.  He was born July 12, 1934 in Shreveport, Louisiana, the son of Christine Mary (Melton) Loyd and Herbert Carter Loyd.  He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Jo (Eisemann) Loyd, and two daughters, Brenda Ann Wahlberg and husband, Greg, of Cross Plains, Texas and Carolyn Christine Beckham and husband, John, of Abilene, Texas.  Also surviving are four grandchildren, Molly Anne Estrada and husband Josh; Emily Christine Beckham; Robert Loyd Beckham and wife, Chelsea; John Michael Beckham and wife Sarah and great grandson, John Fletcher Beckham; Herb’s brother Larry Lee Loyd and wife, Martha, nieces Susan Puckett, husband Dan, and Laura Davis, husband Jim, and brother-in-law Charles Eisemann, wife Ann and nephew, Brian Eisemann.

Herb graduated from Byrd High School in Shreveport, LA, followed by the University of Texas, Austin, graduating magna cum laude in 1955 with a B.A. degree in Zoology where he lettered in freshman tennis, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and was voted the outstanding pre-medical student by the faculty. While at UT Austin, Herb met Mary Jo Eisemann, the love of his life, whom he married December 23, 1955.

Herb received his M.D. degree from Louisiana State University in New Orleans in 1959, having been elected to AOA honorary society, and then served a rotating internship as a Senior Assistant Surgeon at the Public Health Service Hospital in Baltimore, MD.  Following the internship, Herb fulfilled his military obligation at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. after which he began a four-year residency program in radiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Herb served a fifth year as a staff radiologist at The University of Pennsylvania to complete his specialty training. He joined Houston Radiology Associated at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center in 1967 as a diagnostic radiologist, became Chief of the Scurlock Out Patient Dept. in 1980, and retired in 1997.  During that time, he also served as clinical associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, where he was recognized as a gifted teacher.  He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Radiology, a member of the Radiological Society of North America, Texas Radiological Society and Houston Radiological Society.

Herb was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for over 50 years and received the Distinguished Life Award.  In retirement, he enjoyed volunteering his time teaching weekly seminars to transitional radiology residents and technicians at Methodist Hospital, entertaining family and friends with Mary Jo at their house at Lake Conroe, traveling the world, tennis, and working in his shop.  The best of times were with his grandchildren, solving riddles, writing limericks, learning magic tricks, carpentry and sailing. His grandchildren were a source of tremendous pride for Herb and he took delight that both grandsons followed him into a career in medicine.   During the last three years of his life, he and Mary Jo enjoyed living near both daughters in their home at Wesley Court Retirement Center in Abilene, TX.   

Inurnment will be in the columbarium at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Houston, TX with a memorial service to be held on September 6, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel.  The family extends sincere gratitude to Dr. Allen Schultz, the nursing staff at Wesley Court, Hendrick Hospice and caregivers Ben Hines, Pearl Jamison, Debbie Yates, and Wanda Banks.

Memorial gifts:   St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Houston; The Center for Learning and Memory Excellence Fund, University of Texas, Austin (clm.utexas.edu/contact); Hendrick Hospice of Abilene or a charity of your choice. 

Local arrangements were by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, Texas.