Overview

• LeRoy Carhart, an Air Force surgeon who specialized in third-trimester abortions, died of liver cancer at 81.
• Dr. Carhart's clinics performed abortions later in pregnancy in cases of fetal abnormality, rape, or psychological distress in the woman.
• He challenged laws banning "partial-birth" abortions, taking cases to the Supreme Court.
• Dr. Carhart faced violence and harassment from anti-abortion groups, including a clinic bombing and the murder of a colleague.
• He anticipated legal issues around abortion rights that differ in states across the country.