Frank Ludwig

Dr. Frank Raymond Ludwig died peacefully in his sleep early on January 23, 2013 at his home in Maumelle. He was born in Wilson, Arkansas, the third child and second son of Bill and Eva Baltz Ludwig, and he grew up in Chaffee, Missouri. He graduated from St. Mary's High School in Cape Girardeau, MO and went to St. Louis University in St. Louis for undergraduate and medical school. Dr. Ludwig was the first surgeon in North Little Rock. He practiced with and had great respect for his partners, Dr. Charlie Fielder and Dr. David Bevans. Dr. Ludwig was the first in Arkansas to perform laparoscopic surgery. He often said that he loved being a surgeon and looked forward to going to work every single day. He retired from full-time practice in 1999. He married Mary Judith Garthoeffner in 1958, and they had six children together. He is survived by his five children Mary (Neil) Dorflinger and Zachary; Meg (Steve) Eichelberger, Will, Ellen, and Amy; Karen (Kevin) Haney and Kathryn, Karlton, and Kariann; William Joseph Ludwig, his only son and namesake of his brother and father; and Mara (Kevin) Ludwig Eamigh, Joey and Jude. He is survived by his wife Kristi Jespersen Ludwig and her two daughters, Lindsey and Bevin, her mother, Paula, and a special niece, Cassie. His younger sister, Ann Braden and her husband Jim, her two children and their families, all residents of California, survive him; he is preceded in death by his sister Margaret Mary and his brother, a Catholic priest, Father Bill. Margaret is survived by her five children and their families. He is also survived by his former mother-in-law, Susie Gillihan, and her family. He served in the Arkansas National Guard and was the Chief of Surgery for a time at the old North Little Rock Memorial Hospital. Dr. Ludwig was a devoted Catholic throughout his life, and his church—and especially the rosary—gave him great joy. His car's vanity plate read A.M.D.G., which stands for "For the Greater Glory of God" in Latin. He went on medical missions throughout his career, the most recent being to Honduras with Christ the King Catholic Church. In fact, he helped modernize a computer lab at the mission school in Honduras. He said that if he could have figured out a way to be both a surgeon and a priest, he would have done it. He had a genuine love and respect for people. He was full of knowledge and advice. His children could easily compile a book of his lectures on a wide variety of topics, each neatly delivered at the proper stage—and some with Parts I, II and III. He was a skilled lifelong athlete, enjoying golf, tennis, and racquetball the most. He had exceptionally large hands. Dr. Ludwig's funeral will be Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock with Monsignor Malone officiating. Burial will follow immediately at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Marche. The family requests that memorials be made to the Honduras Mission, care of Christ the King Catholic Church, 4000 N. Rodney Parham Rd., Little Rock, AR 72212, or Farm of the Child, Inc. at 1616 Nottingham Knoll Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32225, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements by North Little Rock Funeral Home. Online obituary and guest registry at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.